US5917489A - System and method for creating, editing, and distributing rules for processing electronic messages - Google Patents

System and method for creating, editing, and distributing rules for processing electronic messages Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US5917489A
US5917489A US08/791,885 US79188597A US5917489A US 5917489 A US5917489 A US 5917489A US 79188597 A US79188597 A US 79188597A US 5917489 A US5917489 A US 5917489A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
rule
selection
variable
response
displaying
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US08/791,885
Inventor
Scott A. Thurlow
William J. Bliss
Douglas E. Stumberger
David R. Goodhand
Brian W. MacDonald
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
Original Assignee
Microsoft Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Microsoft Corp filed Critical Microsoft Corp
Priority to US08/791,885 priority Critical patent/US5917489A/en
Assigned to MICROSOFT CORPORATION reassignment MICROSOFT CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: STUMBERGER, DOUGLAS E., BLISS, WILLIAM J., GOODHAND, DAVID R., MACDONALD, BRIAN W., THURLOW, SCOTT A.
Priority to US09/217,700 priority patent/US6057841A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5917489A publication Critical patent/US5917489A/en
Assigned to MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC reassignment MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F40/00Handling natural language data
    • G06F40/30Semantic analysis
    • G06F40/35Discourse or dialogue representation
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/10Office automation; Time management
    • G06Q10/107Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system and method for organizing electronic messages, and more particularly relates to an improved system and method for creating, editing, and distributing rules for automatically processing electronic messages.
  • Electronic mail (e-mail) and other types of electronic messages are becoming extremely popular.
  • Business users increasingly rely on electronic messages to share ideas, transmit documents, schedule meetings, and perform a multitude of other everyday tasks.
  • e-mail programs facilitate the transmission of messages between users.
  • Messaging-enabled scheduling programs allow users to request and schedule meetings and appointments via electronic messages.
  • Computer programs known as desktop information managers attempt to coordinate the growing stream of electronic communications by incorporating e-mail, a calendar, task management, contact management, notes, and journal features into a single application program.
  • this type of processing may be performed by rules or commands that automatically execute specific tasks when user-provided criteria are met. For example, a user may want to file all e-mail from a certain user or regarding a certain subject in a specific folder.
  • this type of function was provided by a programming-type scripting language that was used to specify events and to designate actions for events that meet those conditions. Because it relies on a cryptic, programming-type language, this approach is not very user-friendly.
  • a more recent prior art approach allows users to build rules by choosing predefined conditions and actions, which are presented via a simple graphical user interface.
  • this approach employs a graphical user interface, it does not provide the user with a step-by-step guide through the rules creation process. In this approach, only the most common rules are exposed to the user, and there is very little customization allowed.
  • This method should provide an improved user interface for creating and editing rules for handling electronic messages.
  • the system should allow rules to be applied at the desktop or at the server or at both, in order to process electronic messages in the most efficient manner.
  • the present invention satisfies the above-described needs by providing an improved system and method for creating and editing rules for processing electronic messages.
  • the present invention provides a user interface that guides the user through the process of creating or editing a rule.
  • the available rules components are displayed as natural language (e.g., English) phrases.
  • the resulting rule is composed and displayed in a natural language format.
  • Variables are displayed in highlighted text.
  • the user-specified definition is displayed in the context of the message. Templates and the ability to create rules based on existing messages further simplify the process of creating rules.
  • the present invention provides a method for constructing a rule for processing electronic messages.
  • the method includes displaying the current state of the rule in a natural language format. Conditions are displayed and, in response to an input signal indicating the selection of a condition, the selected condition is added to the displayed current state of the rule. Actions are also displayed. In response to an input signal indicating the selection of an action, the selected action is added to the displayed current state of the rule.
  • the rule is then stored for subsequent processing of electronic messages.
  • the displayed rule includes variables that are displayed as highlighted text in the context of the natural language format.
  • a dialog is displayed in order to allow the selection of a definition for the variable.
  • the rule is displayed with the definition in the place of the original variable.
  • the present invention provides a method for constructing a rule for processing electronic messages.
  • the method includes displaying a list of rule templates and receiving an input signal indicating the selection of one of the rule templates. A condition and action associated with the selected template are then displayed. The current state of the rule is displayed in a natural language format. The rule is then stored for subsequent processing of electronic messages.
  • the present invention provides a method for distributing electronic message processing rules between a client computer and a server computer.
  • the method includes displaying the current state of the rule in a natural language format. Conditions are displayed and, in response to the selection of one of the conditions, the selected condition is added to the displayed current state of the rule. Actions are also displayed. An input selecting one of the actions is received and the selected action is added to the displayed current state of the rule.
  • the method includes determining whether the rule may be run on a server. If so, the rule is uploaded to the server.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a personal computer that provides the operating environment for an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the modular architecture defined by the Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI).
  • MAPI Messaging Application Programming Interface
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the hierarchical arrangement of a MAPI message store.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the MAPI form architecture.
  • FIG. 5 is a state diagram illustrating a method for creating and editing rules for processing electronic messages.
  • FIG. 6, consisting of FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c, illustrates the information displayed in a conditions window.
  • FIG. 7 consisting of FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c, illustrates the information displayed in an actions window.
  • FIG. 8 consisting of FIGS. 8a, 8b, and 8c, illustrates the information displayed in an exceptions window.
  • FIG. 9 consisting of FIGS. 9a and 9b, illustrates information displayed when the "rules from context” options is selected.
  • the present invention is directed toward a method and system for creating and editing rules for processing electronic messages.
  • the invention is incorporated into a desktop information manager application program entitled "OUTLOOK 97,” which is published by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington. Briefly described, the "OUTLOOK 97" program allows users to manage their own calendar, messages, tasks, notes, and contacts and to share this information with others.
  • the present invention allows users to easily create and edit rules that automatically process these electronic messages.
  • FIGS. 1-4 illustrate various aspects of the preferred computing environment in which the present invention is designed to operate. Those skilled in the art will immediately appreciate that FIGS. 1-4 and the associated discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of the preferred computer hardware and program modules, and that additional information is readily available in the appropriate programming manuals, user's guides, and similar publications.
  • FIG. 1 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment in which the invention may be implemented. While the invention will be described in the general context of an application program that runs on an operating system in conjunction with a personal computer, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention also may be implemented in combination with other program modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
  • an exemplary system for implementing the invention includes a conventional personal computer 20, including a processing unit 21, a system memory 22, and a system bus 23 that couples the system memory to the processing unit 21.
  • the system memory 22 includes read only memory (ROM) 24 and random access memory (RAM) 25.
  • ROM read only memory
  • RAM random access memory
  • the personal computer 20 further includes a hard disk drive 27, a magnetic disk drive 28, e.g., to read from or write to a removable disk 29, and an optical disk drive 30, e.g., for reading a CD-ROM disk 31 or to read from or write to other optical media.
  • the hard disk drive 27, magnetic disk drive 28, and optical disk drive 30 are connected to the system bus 23 by a hard disk drive interface 32, a magnetic disk drive interface 33, and an optical drive interface 34, respectively.
  • the drives and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage for the personal computer 20.
  • computer-readable media refers to a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk and a CD-ROM disk, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of media which are readable by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, and the like, may also be used in the exemplary operating environment.
  • a number of program modules may be stored in the drives and RAM 25, including an operating system 35, one or more application programs 36, other program modules 37, and program data 38.
  • a user may enter commands and information into the personal computer 20 through a keyboard 40 and pointing device, such as a mouse 42.
  • Other input devices may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like.
  • These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 21 through a serial port interface 46 that is coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other interfaces, such as a game port or a universal serial bus (USB).
  • a monitor 47 or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus 23 via an interface, such as a video adapter 48.
  • personal computers typically include other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers or printers.
  • the personal computer 20 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 49.
  • the remote computer 49 may be a server, a router, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described relative to the personal computer 20, although only a memory storage device 50 has been illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • the logical connections depicted in FIG. 1 include a local area network (LAN) 51 and a wide area network (WAN) 52.
  • LAN local area network
  • WAN wide area network
  • the personal computer 20 When used in a LAN networking environment, the personal computer 20 is connected to the LAN 51 through a network interface 53. When used in a WAN networking environment, the personal computer 20 typically includes a modem 54 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 52, such as the Internet.
  • the modem 54 which may be internal or external, is connected to the system bus 23 via the serial port interface 46.
  • program modules depicted relative to the personal computer 20, or portions thereof may be stored in the remote memory storage device. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used.
  • the operating system 35 provides the basic interface between the computer's resources, the user, and the application programs 36. As discussed earlier, an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated in the "OUTLOOK 97" application program, which is designed to operate with Microsoft Corporation's "WINDOWS 95" or “WINDOWS NT” operating systems.
  • the operating system 35 provides a variety of functions or services that allow an application program 36 to easily deal with various types of input/output (I/O) by issuing relatively simple function calls.
  • an application program 36 communicates with the operating system 35 by calling predefined functions provided by the operating system 35.
  • the operating system 35 responds by providing the requested information in a message or by executing the requested task.
  • the preferred operating system incorporates the Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI).
  • MAPI Messaging Application Programming Interface
  • the MAPI architecture is designed to make it easy for programmers to write messaging-enabled applications that are independent of the underlying messaging system.
  • MAPI provides high-level functions that can be used to implement sophisticated messaging features with a relatively small amount of code.
  • the code deals with functions for sending, receiving, and addressing electronic messages.
  • the underlying messaging system is completely transparent.
  • MAPI also provides other message-related functionality, such as access to address books.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the modular architecture defined by MAPI.
  • the client applications 300 are application programs that take advantage of the MAPI subsystem 305.
  • Client applications 300 implement messaging tasks as either their primary or secondary focus.
  • Messaging-based client applications such as applications that send and receive electronic mail, implement messaging tasks as their primary focus.
  • the MAPI subsystem is made up of the MAPI spooler 310, a common user interface (not shown), and the programming interfaces 315.
  • the MAPI spooler is a separate interface that is responsible for sending electronic messages to and receiving electronic messages from a messaging system.
  • the common user interface is a set of dialog boxes that gives client applications a consistent look and users a consistent way to perform tasks.
  • the programming interfaces 315 are used by the MAPI subsystem 305, by client applications 300, and by service provider writers.
  • the main programming interface is an object-based interface known as the MAPI programming interface, which is based on the OLE Component Object Model.
  • Client applications may also utilize any of three other interfaces, including simple MAPI, Common Messaging Calls (CMC) and the OLE Messaging Library, which are primarily for messaging-enabled and messaging-aware client applications.
  • CMC Common Messaging Calls
  • the MAPI spooler 310 is a separate process within the MAPI subsystem 305 and is responsible for sending electronic messages to and receiving electronic messages from a messaging system 320.
  • the spooler runs as a background process and also performs several functions related to electronic message distribution. These include informing a client application when a new message has been delivered, invoking message preprocessing and post processing, generating reports that indicate that message delivery has occurred, and maintaining status on processed recipients.
  • the MAPI service providers 325 are located between MAPI subsystem 305 and the messaging systems 320.
  • Service providers are drivers that connect MAPI client applications 300 to an underlying messaging system 320.
  • Most messaging systems include three types of service providers: message store providers 330, address book or directory providers 335, and message transport providers 340.
  • the service providers work with MAPI to create and send electronic messages in the following way. Electronic messages are created using a form that is appropriate for the specific type, or class, of message. The completed electronic message is addressed to one or more recipients.
  • the message store provider 330 checks that each recipient has a unique and valid address and that the message has all of the information necessary for transmission. If there is a question about a recipient, such as can occur when there are multiple recipients with the same name, an address book provider resolves the ambiguity. The electronic message in then placed in the outbound queue.
  • Address book providers 335 handle access to directory information. Depending on the type of recipient and the address book provider, there is a wide range of information that can be made available. For example, all address book providers 335 store a recipient's name, address, and address type and organize the data using one or more containers. MAPI integrates all the information supplied by the installed address book providers into a single address book, thereby presenting a unified view to the client application. The users of client applications can view the contents of address book containers and in some cases modify it. MAPI's Personal Address Book is an example of a modifiable address book container that allows new entries to be added and exiting entries to be modified or deleted.
  • Message store providers 330 handle the storage and retrieval of electronic messages and other information for the users of a client application. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the message information is organized using a hierarchical system known as a message store, which is implemented in multiple levels, with containers called folders holding electronic messages of different types. There is no limit to the number of levels in a message store, and folders can contain many sub-folders.
  • Electronic messages are units of data that are transferred from one user or application to another user or application. Every message contains some text and envelope information, which is used for transmission. Some electronic messages include one or more attachments, or additional data related to and transported with a message. The attachments and additional data may be in the form of a file, another message, or an OLE object.
  • Transport providers 340 handle message transmission and reception. They control the interaction between the MAPI spooler 310 and the underlying messaging system 320. They also implement security if necessary and take care of any pre-processing and post-processing tasks that are required. Client applications 300 communicate with the transport providers 340 through a message store provider 330. When an incoming message is detected, the transport provider informs the MAPI spooler and the message is delivered to the appropriate message store. To handle outgoing messages, the message store moves the message to the outbound queue, informs the MAPI spooler, and the spooler transfers it to the appropriate transport providers.
  • the operation of these MAPI components is illustrated by describing the flow of an electronic message through these components.
  • the user of a client application 300 sends an electronic message to one or more recipients.
  • a message store provider 330 initiates the sending process and formats the message with additional information needed for transmission.
  • the MAPI spooler 310 receives the electronic message, performs any required preprocessing, and delivers it to the appropriate transport provider 340.
  • the transport provider 340 gives the message to its messaging system 320, which sends it to the intended recipient(s).
  • the transport provider 340 receives a message from its messaging system 320 and notifies the MAPI spooler 310.
  • the spooler 310 performs any necessary post processing and informs the message store provider 330 that a new message has arrived.
  • the notification causes the client application 300 to refresh its message display, which enables the user to read the new message.
  • Client application users can access a summary view of the messages contained within each folder or view them individually with a form. Whether the client displays a standard form supplied by MAPI or a custom form supplied by a form developer depends on the type, or class, of the message.
  • the first folder 400 contains note messages and uses the MAPI standard note form.
  • the second folder 405 contains inventory request messages and uses a custom inventory form. The information on both forms represents the properties, or attributes, of the message. Messages are the units of data transferred from one user to another. Every message contains some text, which is formatted simply or more intricately depending on the form that is used, and envelope information that is used for transmission.
  • a MAPI property is an attribute of a MAPI object, and describes something about the object, such as the subject line of a message of the address type of a distribution list. Every MAPI property has a value, a type, and an identifier.
  • the value is the descriptive data, such as the text in a message body.
  • the type describes the kind of data, such as a string, numeric, or Boolean.
  • the identifier is the number that uniquely describes the property.
  • the identifier and type are combined to form a "property tag," which is a constant that can be used to easily refer to the property.
  • Property tags share a common format. They begin with the prefix "PR" and are made up of one or more words that describe the property. For example, PR -- MESSAGE -- BODY is the tag for the message body property.
  • PR -- MESSAGE -- BODY is the tag for the message body property.
  • the property tag and value are stored together in system memory 15 (FIG. 1) as a single data structure.
  • MAPI also employs "profiles," which are collections of information about the message services and service providers that a user of a client application 300 wants to be available during a particular MAPI session. Every user has at least one profile. Multiple profiles may be used in some cases. For example, a user might have one profile to work with a server-based message store service and another profile to work with a message store service on the local computer. A user may have profiles on more than one computer. Similarly, a computer may store profiles for more than one user. Profiles provide a flexible way to select combinations of message systems.
  • a form is a viewer for an electronic message.
  • Each message has a message class that determines the particular form that is used as its viewer.
  • MAPI defines a few messages classes and has implemented the forms for viewing these messages.
  • Client application developers can create new message classes and custom forms for viewing messages with the new classes.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the MAPI form architecture, which involves three main components: a form registry provider 500, a form server 505, and a form viewer 510.
  • the form registry provider 500 maintains a library of information about all of the forms available on the computer and enables the client to select a form that is suitable for the message being displayed.
  • Form data is stored in a form registry 502, which is stored in one of the computer's memory storage devices.
  • the form server 505 is responsible for displaying the form and providing the information for the display.
  • the form server manages the user's interaction with the form by interpreting the menu selections and processing the messages.
  • the form viewer 510 is a component within a client application that contains the display and presents it to the user.
  • MAPI provides a wide variety of features and functions in addition to those included in the brief description presented above.
  • MAPI Messaging Application Programming Interface
  • an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is represented by the "OUTLOOK 97" desktop information manager.
  • the preferred client application is divided into several modules, including a calendar manager, a task list manager, a contact manager, a message manager (e-mail), and a notes manager.
  • integration between the modules is both simple and extensive because all information is stored in a MAPI data store, which is an extensible, object-oriented database.
  • the preferred application program incorporates the features of MAPI version 1.0.
  • All folders contain objects, or items.
  • Items have a set of fields and a behavior associated with them.
  • an e-mail item has To, From, CC, Subject, date and time fields among others.
  • the behavior of e-mail items includes knowledge of what it means to Forward or Reply/Reply All.
  • items consist of a variety of data, which are stored as MAPI properties.
  • a user views and interacts with an item in the context of a form, which includes a variety of fields.
  • a field maps directly to a MAPI property.
  • each item is initially created from a template, which provides a "mold" for the new items.
  • a template describes the fields and properties associated with the item, including the data types, default values, formatting rules, etc. For example, there would be a default template for each type of item listed above: appointments, to-do items, notes, e-mail messages, etc.
  • Electronic message processing rules are user-defined instructions for managing incoming and outgoing electronic messages. Rules execute specific tasks when user-defined criteria are met and provide an effective way to process electronic messages without requiring users to spend a lot of time sorting through their inboxes deleting, filing, and responding to their messages.
  • the present invention provides an improved system and method for creating and editing rules for processing electronic messages, such as e-mail, meeting requests, and task requests.
  • the invention is embodied in a "Rules Wizard,” which divides the process into discrete steps and provides a user-friendly interface for creating and editing rules. At each step, the user selects the parameters that constitute the rule.
  • the rule is composed and presented to the user in the form of a natural language (e.g., English) sentence, instead of in a programming-type language. If the rule requires more information from the user, the user is prompted by highlighted text within the natural language sentence itself. The user can then select the highlighted text and define the variable.
  • the rule creating process is further simplified by the use of templates and context-specific rules. Once created, the rules may be executed by the client application or the mail server.
  • Each rule includes conditions and actions, and may also include exceptions. "Conditions” are the criteria that are available for making new rules. A rule will not be executed unless its conditions are satisfied. Each rule typically contains at least one condition. Multiple conditions can be strung together with "and” clauses. In this case, all of the conditions must be met for the rule to execute. Alternatively, multiple conditions could be joined using the disjunctive connector "or" so that action will be taken if one of several conditions is present. If a rule contains no conditions, it will be applied to every sent or received item (depending on whether it is a send rule or a delivery rule).
  • Actions are the events that occur when the rule's conditions are met. Each rule typically includes at least one action. Multiple actions can be assigned to a single rule. If multiple actions are to be executed, the order of execution may be critical to successful execution of the rule. For example, if a user wants to forward a message and then delete it, the steps must be carried out in that order. If the message is deleted first, it will not be available to be forwarded. In the "OUTLOOK 97" program, actions are organized by priority and are executed in order of priority in order to avoid such problems.
  • Exceptions allow a user to identify criteria or conditions that will prevent a rule from executing. Multiple exceptions may be combined with “or” clauses. If multiple exceptions are included, the actions associated with the rule will not be executed if any of the exceptions are true. Exceptions are optional.
  • each rule is also stored in a machine-readable format for execution by the computer.
  • the machine readable form of a rule includes a Boolean expression that represents the natural language rule's condition and exception clauses, and a list of actions that represent the natural language phrase's actions clauses.
  • PROPERTY is the MAPI property or properties that correspond to the property mentioned in the rule
  • COMPARISON OP is the operator used for the comparison
  • VALUE is the value the user specified for the variable.
  • PR -- SUBJECT is the MAPI property used for a message's "subject" field, and the operator includes comparisons such as checking to see if two values are equal.
  • ACTION is an identifier for the selected action and PARAMETER N is a parameter associated with the action.
  • PARAMETER may be the identifier of the folder into which matching messages are to be filed.
  • the rules feature associated with the "OUTLOOK 97" program employs a "Rules Wizard” to provide step-by-step guidance during rule creation and editing.
  • the Rules Wizard uses a sequence of windows to walk the user through the process of creating or editing a rule.
  • a Start/Templates window provides a list of available templates, a switch for selecting send/delivery rules, and a rule description area.
  • a Conditions window directs the user to select the conditions on which the rule will act.
  • An Actions window allows the user to choose the action or actions the rule will execute.
  • An Exceptions window gives the user a listing of available exceptions.
  • a Naming window allows the user to name the rule and turn it on or off.
  • FIG. 5 is a state diagram of the method 550 carried out by the Rules Wizard.
  • the method begins at the idle state 555.
  • the method 550 proceeds to state 560 and displays a Start/Templates window.
  • This window allows the user to create a new rule or edit or rename an existing rule.
  • the user may view a list of previously created rules, which are stored in the user's MAPI profile. If the user desires to create a new rule, the user may choose one of three options. First, the user may simply proceed to choose the conditions and actions from a list of available possibilities. Optionally, the user may select templates that are designed to carry out certain functions.
  • the user may also select a "rules from context" option from the idle state 555, which builds rules based on the properties of the message currently being viewed. Each of these options is discussed in more detail below.
  • the method 550 proceeds to state 565 and displays a conditions window.
  • the conditions window allows the user to choose the conditions on which the rule will act.
  • the variables are displayed as underlined text in order to indicate that the variables are defined via hypertext links.
  • the user has the opportunity to select the hypertext link and define the variable from a dialog or other user interface object (state 570). The user may also return to state 560 by selecting the "back" option.
  • a list of exemplary conditions for display in the conditions window is provided in Table I.
  • FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c illustrate the type of information provided in the conditions window 600 as the user works through the process of selecting available conditions and providing required parameters (see states 565 and 570 of FIG. 5).
  • the conditions window includes a conditions display area 605 and a rule description area 610.
  • the conditions display area 605 displays the conditions that are available to the user.
  • the rule description area 610 includes a natural language statement of the rule as it is constructed.
  • the conditions window 600 also includes controls labeled cancel 620, back 625, next 630, and finish 635. These controls perform the common functions of allowing a user to navigate between windows and to cancel or complete an operation.
  • FIG. 6a illustrates the state of the conditions window 600 when the Rules Wizard first displays the window (FIG. 5, state 565).
  • the conditions display area 605 includes a list of the conditions from which the user may choose. A check box is located next to each condition.
  • the rules description area 610 simply includes the initial phrase of a natural language expression of a rule ("For each message") and a statement indicating that the rule will be applied to messages as they are received. Alternatively, the user may specify that the rule is to be applied after an incoming message is first read, or when an outgoing message is sent.
  • rules may be designed to existing folders and their messages immediately, or on a periodic basis. This allows the rules feature to be used to "clean up" folders full of messages.
  • FIG. 6b illustrates the state of the conditions window 600 after the user has selected the condition "from an address list" in the conditions display area 605.
  • the rule description area 610 is modified to add the selected phrase to the natural language expression of the rule.
  • the rule now reads "For each message from an address list” and expresses the conditional portion of the rule in an easy-to-understand natural language format.
  • an address list are underlined in order to represent a variable that must be replaced by the user.
  • underlined text is commonly used to indicate a hypertext link.
  • the user moves the cursor over the hypertext portion of the rule as it is displayed in the rules description area 610 and selects the hypertext.
  • the Rules Wizard displays a dialog (not shown) that allows the user to select from available objects, such as an address list (FIG. 5, state 570).
  • a dialog is displayed with the appropriate user interface for selecting variables of that type. For example, if the variable holds a mail address, the user gets a window that allows them to pick or enter a mail address. Likewise, if the variable holds a word, the user gets a window that allows them to enter a word.
  • FIG. 6c illustrates the conditions window 600 after the user has selected a specific address list in place of the variable in the condition statement.
  • the user has defined the variable with an address list called "SOC Hiking Information.” This name has been threaded back into the rule that is displayed in the rule description area 610. Thus, the rule now reads "For each message from SOC Hiking Information.”
  • the address list name remains underlined in order to indicate that the address list is a variable.
  • the address list name may be edited by selecting the underlined text in the rule description area 610 of the conditions window 600.
  • the user selects the Next control 630 and proceeds to select the actions that will form a part of the rules. This causes the method 550 (FIG. 5) to proceed from state 565 to state 575.
  • the Rules Wizard displays an actions window, which provides the user interface that allows the user to select the actions that will take place when the conditions are satisfied. Like the conditions described above, the actions that include variables are displayed as hypertext links. After an action is selected, the user has the opportunity to select the hypertext link and choose the variable from a dialog (state 580).
  • a list of exemplary actions for display in the actions window is provided in Table II.
  • FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c illustrate the type of information provided in the actions window 700 as the user works through the process of selecting available actions and providing required parameters (see states 575 and 580 of FIG. 5).
  • the actions window includes an actions display area 705 and a rule description area 710.
  • the actions display area 705 displays the actions that are available to the user.
  • the rule description area 710 includes the natural language statement of the rule as it is constructed.
  • the actions window 700 also includes controls labeled cancel 720, back 725, next 730, and finish 735. These controls perform the common functions of allowing a user to navigate between windows and to cancel or complete an operation.
  • FIG. 7a illustrates the state of the actions window 700 when the Rules Wizard first displays the window (FIG. 5, state 575).
  • the actions display area 705 includes a list of the actions from which the user may choose.
  • a check box is located next to each action.
  • the rules description area 710 includes the conditional portion of the rule that was defined earlier and the statement indicating that this rule will be applied to messages as they are received.
  • FIG. 7b illustrates the state of the actions window 700 after the user has selected the action "file it in the designated folder" in the actions display area 705.
  • the rule description area 710 is modified to add the selected phrase to the natural language expression of the rule.
  • the rule now reads "For each message from SOC Hiking Information, file it in the designated folder” and expresses the condition and action portions of the rule in an easy-to-understand natural language format.
  • the word "designated” is underlined in order to represent a variable that must be defined by the user.
  • the user moves the cursor over the hypertext portion of the rule as it is displayed in the rules description area 710 and selects the hypertext.
  • the user may tab to the highlighted hypertext part of the rule and press the "enter" key.
  • the Rules Wizard displays a dialog (not shown) that allows the user to select from available objects, such as an address list (FIG. 5, state 580).
  • FIG. 7c illustrates the actions window 700 after the user has identified a specific folder name in place of the variable in the action statement.
  • the user has selected a folder called "Hiking.”
  • This folder name has been threaded back into the rule that is displayed in the rule description area 710.
  • the rule now reads "For each message from SOC Hiking Information file it in the Hiking folder.”
  • the folder name remains underlined in order to indicate that the folder name is a variable, which may be edited by selecting the underlined text in the rule description area 710 of the actions window 700.
  • the user selects the Next control 630 and proceeds to select the actions that will form a part of the rules. This causes the method 550 (FIG. 5) to proceed from state 575 to state 585.
  • the Rules Wizard displays an exceptions window, which provides the user interface that allows the user to select specific exceptions to the conditions that were specified earlier. Like the conditions and actions described above, the exceptions that include variables are displayed as hypertext links. After an exception is selected, the user has the opportunity to click on the hypertext link and select the variable from a dialog (state 590).
  • a list of exemplary exceptions for display in the exceptions window is provided in Table III.
  • FIGS. 8a, 8b, and 8c illustrate the type of information provided in the exceptions window 800 as the user works through the process of selecting available exceptions and defining constituent variables (see states 585 and 590 of FIG. 5).
  • the exceptions window includes an exceptions display area 805 and a rule description area 810.
  • the exceptions display area 805 displays the exceptions that are available to the user.
  • the rule description area 810 includes a natural language statement of the rule as it has been constructed to this point.
  • the exceptions window 800 also includes controls labeled cancel 820, back 825, next 830, and finish 835, which allow a user to navigate between windows and to cancel or complete an operation.
  • FIG. 8a illustrates the state of the exceptions window 800 when the Rules Wizard first displays the window (FIG. 5, state 585).
  • the exceptions display area 805 includes a list of the exceptions from which the user may choose. A check box is located next to each exception.
  • the rules description area 810 includes the conditional and action portions of the rule that were defined earlier and the statement indicating that this rule will be applied to messages as they are received.
  • FIG. 8b illustrates the state of the exceptions window 800 after the user has selected the exception "except if body contains specific words" in the exceptions display area 805.
  • the rule description area 810 is modified to add the selected phrase to the natural language expression of the rule.
  • the rule now reads "For each message from SOC Hiking Information, file it in the Hiking folder except if body contains specific words” and expresses the condition, action, and exception portions of the rule in an easy-to-understand natural language format.
  • the words "specific words" are underlined in order to represent a variable that must be replaced by the user.
  • the user moves the cursor over the hypertext portion of the rule as it is displayed in the rules description area 810 and selects the hypertext.
  • the Rules Wizard displays a dialog (not shown) that allows the user to specify the words that define the variable (FIG. 5, state 590).
  • FIG. 8c illustrates the exceptions window 800 after the user has provided specific words in place of the variable in the exception statement.
  • the user has entered the words "Appalachian Trail.” These words have been threaded back into the rule that is displayed in the rule description area 810.
  • the rule now reads "For each message from SOC Hiking Information file it in the Hiking folder except if body contains Appalachian Trail.”
  • the words "Appalachian Trail” remain underlined in order to indicate that they are a variable, which may be edited by selecting the underlined text in the rule description area 810 of the exceptions window 800.
  • the window or dialog that allows a user to define a variable will vary depending on the type of variable being defined.
  • the Rules Wizard displays an naming window, which allows the user to select name the rule and turn it on or off. Once the rule is named, the rule is stored in the user's MAPI profile. At that point, the Rules Wizard is removed from the display and the method 550 returns to the idle state 555.
  • the Rules Wizard provides step-by-step guidance during rule creation and editing.
  • the Rules Wizard uses a sequence of windows to walk the user through the process of creating a rule.
  • the Start/Templates window provides a list of available template options and allows the user to view and edit previously created rules.
  • the Conditions window directs the user to select the conditions on which the rule will act.
  • the Actions window allows the user to choose the action the rule will execute.
  • the Exceptions window gives the user a listing of available exceptions.
  • the Naming window allows the user to name the rule and turn it on or off.
  • the user selects the existing rule from a dialog. If the user simply wants to redefine a variable, he or she clicks the hypertext and selects from the dialog. If the user wants to change the structure of the rule, the user will be guided by the Rules Wizard.
  • Displaying the rules in a natural language format also allows users to create rules by stepping through a logical sequence (i.e., conditions, actions, exceptions) and piecing together clauses of natural language (e.g., English) text. Each clause may have one or more variables that need to be defined by the user. When completed, the rule reads like a natural language sentence. Natural language rules more accurately reflect the way users think about organizing mail and is more like the way people give instructions to other people. This approach completely avoids the need to think in a programming-like syntax or to type in rules from scratch.
  • the variables in the displayed rules are displayed as hypertext.
  • a dialog is displayed with the appropriate user interface for selecting the folder, user, etc. that is required to define the variable.
  • the user-selected variable is threaded back into the natural language sentence. Because the variable maintains it hypertext properties, it makes it easy for the user to determine exactly which parts of the rule are variable, and provides a consistent path for modifying the variables.
  • the "OUTLOOK 97" program also provides rules templates and "rules from context” features that further simply the process of creating rules.
  • Rule templates wrap common combinations of discrete conditions, actions, and exceptions into packages.
  • a user selects a particular template (FIG. 5, state 560) the associated conditions, actions, and exceptions are immediately displayed in the rule description area of the conditions window, with the variables displayed as hypertext links.
  • the user proceeds to select the underlined variables and define values for those variables. This allows a user to quickly create a rule by selecting a template and defining the required parameters.
  • Table IV A list of exemplary templates is provided in Table IV.
  • the Rules Wizard will then display a conditions window (FIG. 5, step 565) with the following rule displayed in the rule description area 610: "For each message from an address list file it in the designated folder.” The user must then complete the rule by defining the address list and folder variables.
  • the "rules from context” features allows a user to create new rules based on the specific information in an existing message. If the user selects the rules from context feature from a mail window, the Rules Wizard no longer blindly offers its generic choices of conditions and actions. Instead, the Rules Wizard examines the properties of the selected message and offers "custom" suggestions for the variables in available conditions and actions statements. This is accomplished by splicing information from the active message and incorporating it into the natural language expression of the conditions and actions. Thus, the user creates a rule using the user interface provided by the Rules Wizard. However, the parameters from the selected, existing message are already threaded into the natural language statements.
  • FIG. 9a illustrates a conditions window 900 that will be displayed if a user selects the Rules Wizard while viewing a message that is from Tom Smith, has the subject "Hiking Equipment Sale,” and is located in a folder entitled “Hiking.” As illustrated in FIG. 9a, the Rules Wizard has extracted the salient features from the open messages and threaded parameters from that message into the available conditions, which are displayed in a conditions display area 905.
  • FIG. 9b illustrates an actions window 910 with custom actions derived from the message in the example.
  • the Rules from Context feature examines the relevant properties of the message on which it acts.
  • the header fields or properties contain information such as the sender's name, the subject, the importance level, the sensitivity level, etc.
  • the program then splices relevant information into natural language phrases.
  • the variables are automatically defined by the Rules from Context feature, they still maintain their hypertext properties and can be changed.
  • Rules from Context streamlines the process of creating rules, which allows the user to be more efficient in his or her use of electronic messages.
  • the feature does not limit the flexibility of the Rules system in any way because users still have the option to alter suggestions made by the Rules from Context.
  • the rules feature also provides independent client/server implementation of the rules.
  • a client/server implementation is one in which many personal computers, referred to as clients, are connected to a central computer, called the server. While the clients maintain all of the functionality of personal computer, their connection to the server allows them to communicate with other clients through the server and to receive server-based services, such as mail services.
  • server-based services such as mail services.
  • Current mail systems allow a user to have a mailbox on the server as well as a mailbox on their client computer. The user can have mail delivered directly to either account. For example, the "OUTLOOK 97" program allows multiple transport providers to be registered in the user's MAPI profile.
  • a user may have their company-related e-mail account on a server (e.g., a "Microsoft Exchange” server) and an Internet mail account on his or her on personal computer.
  • a server e.g., a "Microsoft Exchange” server
  • the e-mail will be delivered to the user's inbox on the client computer by different transport providers.
  • the rules feature in the "OUTLOOK 97" program is a true client/server implementation because rules can act upon messages delivered to either the server or the client. This allows mail to be processed at the server even if the user's computer is not operating. Because the rules execute in two locations, the system automatically maintains rule synchronization between the client and the server. If rules are modified while a client is offline, the rules are synchronized with the user's server the next time the client is connected to the server. This is accomplished by comparing the current set of client-based rules to the rules on the server. If there is a discrepancy, the user selects which set of rules he or she prefers to use, and the old rules on the client or server are updated accordingly.
  • not all rules can be run on the server because one or more of the conditions, actions, or exceptions is dependent on the client being logged in.
  • the program determines whether the rules includes client-dependent components. If so, the rule may not run on the server and resides solely on the client. If the rule does not include any client-dependent components, the rule will be uploaded to the server and registered with the user's mail server. Rules that are uploaded to the server will also be retained on the client.
  • the system ensures that messages delivered to the user's inbox will be processed by the rules regardless of which transport provider delivered the message.
  • a user may receive mail from multiple servers, and some of the servers may not be able to process rules.
  • the rules are processed regardless of whether the message is received from a server that can or cannot process rules.
  • the system ensures that messages will be processed quickly and efficiently even if the client is not logged in. If a rule is run on a message at the server, that rule will not be run again when the message reaches the client computer.
  • a Rules Wizard provides simple, step-by-step guidance through the rule making process.
  • rules are constructed from natural language phrases that are selected by the user.
  • the rules is displayed in a natural language format. Any variables in the natural language representation of the rule are highlighted and displayed as hypertext links.
  • Rule creation is further facilitated by choosing a predefined template, or by creating a new rule based on the properties of a currently open message.
  • the rules are distributed between the client and server and synchronized in order to process messages in the most efficient and timely manner.

Abstract

A desktop information manager includes a "Rules Wizard" for creating and editing rules for processing electronic messages. The Rules Wizard allows creation of rules in a step-by-step manner by selecting natural language phrases representing conditions, actions, and exceptions. As rule components are selected by the user, the current rule is displayed in a natural language format. Variables are displayed as hypertext links. When the user specifies the value of a variable, the specified value is threaded back into the displayed rule. Templates and a rules from context feature expedite the construction of rules. Once created rules are stored on the client computer and possibly uploaded to the server in order to ensure efficient message processing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a system and method for organizing electronic messages, and more particularly relates to an improved system and method for creating, editing, and distributing rules for automatically processing electronic messages.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electronic mail (e-mail) and other types of electronic messages are becoming extremely popular. Business users increasingly rely on electronic messages to share ideas, transmit documents, schedule meetings, and perform a multitude of other everyday tasks.
These tasks may be accomplished by a variety of software programs. For example, e-mail programs facilitate the transmission of messages between users. Messaging-enabled scheduling programs allow users to request and schedule meetings and appointments via electronic messages. Computer programs known as desktop information managers attempt to coordinate the growing stream of electronic communications by incorporating e-mail, a calendar, task management, contact management, notes, and journal features into a single application program.
The increased reliance on electronic messaging has resulted in a great increase in the number of electronic messages a user sends and receives daily. Users who send and receive a large number of e-mail messages would like an effective way to process their e-mail without spending a lot of time sorting through their inbox, deleting, filing, forwarding, and responding to their messages.
In general, this type of processing may be performed by rules or commands that automatically execute specific tasks when user-provided criteria are met. For example, a user may want to file all e-mail from a certain user or regarding a certain subject in a specific folder. In the prior art, this type of function was provided by a programming-type scripting language that was used to specify events and to designate actions for events that meet those conditions. Because it relies on a cryptic, programming-type language, this approach is not very user-friendly.
A more recent prior art approach allows users to build rules by choosing predefined conditions and actions, which are presented via a simple graphical user interface. Although this approach employs a graphical user interface, it does not provide the user with a step-by-step guide through the rules creation process. In this approach, only the most common rules are exposed to the user, and there is very little customization allowed.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved method for creating and editing rules for processing electronic messages. This method should provide an improved user interface for creating and editing rules for handling electronic messages. In addition to an improved user interface, the system should allow rules to be applied at the desktop or at the server or at both, in order to process electronic messages in the most efficient manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention satisfies the above-described needs by providing an improved system and method for creating and editing rules for processing electronic messages. The present invention provides a user interface that guides the user through the process of creating or editing a rule. At each step, the available rules components are displayed as natural language (e.g., English) phrases. As components are selected, the resulting rule is composed and displayed in a natural language format. Variables are displayed in highlighted text. When the user defines a variable, the user-specified definition is displayed in the context of the message. Templates and the ability to create rules based on existing messages further simplify the process of creating rules.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for constructing a rule for processing electronic messages. The method includes displaying the current state of the rule in a natural language format. Conditions are displayed and, in response to an input signal indicating the selection of a condition, the selected condition is added to the displayed current state of the rule. Actions are also displayed. In response to an input signal indicating the selection of an action, the selected action is added to the displayed current state of the rule. The rule is then stored for subsequent processing of electronic messages.
More particularly described, the displayed rule includes variables that are displayed as highlighted text in the context of the natural language format. Upon receipt of an input signal indicating the selection of the highlighted text, a dialog is displayed in order to allow the selection of a definition for the variable. Upon receipt of an input signal indicating the selection of the definition for the variable, the rule is displayed with the definition in the place of the original variable.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for constructing a rule for processing electronic messages. The method includes displaying a list of rule templates and receiving an input signal indicating the selection of one of the rule templates. A condition and action associated with the selected template are then displayed. The current state of the rule is displayed in a natural language format. The rule is then stored for subsequent processing of electronic messages.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method for distributing electronic message processing rules between a client computer and a server computer. The method includes displaying the current state of the rule in a natural language format. Conditions are displayed and, in response to the selection of one of the conditions, the selected condition is added to the displayed current state of the rule. Actions are also displayed. An input selecting one of the actions is received and the selected action is added to the displayed current state of the rule. The method includes determining whether the rule may be run on a server. If so, the rule is uploaded to the server.
The various aspects of the present invention may be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and by reference to the appended drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a personal computer that provides the operating environment for an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the modular architecture defined by the Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI).
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the hierarchical arrangement of a MAPI message store.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the MAPI form architecture.
FIG. 5 is a state diagram illustrating a method for creating and editing rules for processing electronic messages.
FIG. 6, consisting of FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c, illustrates the information displayed in a conditions window.
FIG. 7, consisting of FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c, illustrates the information displayed in an actions window.
FIG. 8, consisting of FIGS. 8a, 8b, and 8c, illustrates the information displayed in an exceptions window.
FIG. 9, consisting of FIGS. 9a and 9b, illustrates information displayed when the "rules from context" options is selected.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention is directed toward a method and system for creating and editing rules for processing electronic messages. In one embodiment, the invention is incorporated into a desktop information manager application program entitled "OUTLOOK 97," which is published by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington. Briefly described, the "OUTLOOK 97" program allows users to manage their own calendar, messages, tasks, notes, and contacts and to share this information with others. The present invention allows users to easily create and edit rules that automatically process these electronic messages.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, aspects of the present invention and an exemplary operating environment will be described.
EXEMPLARY OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
FIGS. 1-4 illustrate various aspects of the preferred computing environment in which the present invention is designed to operate. Those skilled in the art will immediately appreciate that FIGS. 1-4 and the associated discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of the preferred computer hardware and program modules, and that additional information is readily available in the appropriate programming manuals, user's guides, and similar publications.
THE COMPUTER HARDWARE
FIG. 1 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment in which the invention may be implemented. While the invention will be described in the general context of an application program that runs on an operating system in conjunction with a personal computer, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention also may be implemented in combination with other program modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system for implementing the invention includes a conventional personal computer 20, including a processing unit 21, a system memory 22, and a system bus 23 that couples the system memory to the processing unit 21. The system memory 22 includes read only memory (ROM) 24 and random access memory (RAM) 25. A basic input/output system 26 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the personal computer 20, such as during start-up, is stored in ROM 24. The personal computer 20 further includes a hard disk drive 27, a magnetic disk drive 28, e.g., to read from or write to a removable disk 29, and an optical disk drive 30, e.g., for reading a CD-ROM disk 31 or to read from or write to other optical media. The hard disk drive 27, magnetic disk drive 28, and optical disk drive 30 are connected to the system bus 23 by a hard disk drive interface 32, a magnetic disk drive interface 33, and an optical drive interface 34, respectively. The drives and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage for the personal computer 20. Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk and a CD-ROM disk, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of media which are readable by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, and the like, may also be used in the exemplary operating environment.
A number of program modules may be stored in the drives and RAM 25, including an operating system 35, one or more application programs 36, other program modules 37, and program data 38. A user may enter commands and information into the personal computer 20 through a keyboard 40 and pointing device, such as a mouse 42. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 21 through a serial port interface 46 that is coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other interfaces, such as a game port or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor 47 or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus 23 via an interface, such as a video adapter 48. In addition to the monitor, personal computers typically include other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers or printers.
The personal computer 20 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 49. The remote computer 49 may be a server, a router, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described relative to the personal computer 20, although only a memory storage device 50 has been illustrated in FIG. 1. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 1 include a local area network (LAN) 51 and a wide area network (WAN) 52. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet.
When used in a LAN networking environment, the personal computer 20 is connected to the LAN 51 through a network interface 53. When used in a WAN networking environment, the personal computer 20 typically includes a modem 54 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 52, such as the Internet. The modem 54, which may be internal or external, is connected to the system bus 23 via the serial port interface 46. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the personal computer 20, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used.
THE MAPI MESSAGING ARCHITECTURE
The operating system 35 provides the basic interface between the computer's resources, the user, and the application programs 36. As discussed earlier, an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated in the "OUTLOOK 97" application program, which is designed to operate with Microsoft Corporation's "WINDOWS 95" or "WINDOWS NT" operating systems. The operating system 35 provides a variety of functions or services that allow an application program 36 to easily deal with various types of input/output (I/O) by issuing relatively simple function calls. Generally described, an application program 36 communicates with the operating system 35 by calling predefined functions provided by the operating system 35. The operating system 35 responds by providing the requested information in a message or by executing the requested task.
In the context of the present invention, the primary interaction between the application program and the operating system involves messaging related tasks. The preferred operating system incorporates the Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI). The MAPI architecture is designed to make it easy for programmers to write messaging-enabled applications that are independent of the underlying messaging system. MAPI provides high-level functions that can be used to implement sophisticated messaging features with a relatively small amount of code. The code deals with functions for sending, receiving, and addressing electronic messages. The underlying messaging system is completely transparent. MAPI also provides other message-related functionality, such as access to address books.
FIG. 2 illustrates the modular architecture defined by MAPI. The client applications 300 are application programs that take advantage of the MAPI subsystem 305. Client applications 300 implement messaging tasks as either their primary or secondary focus. Messaging-based client applications, such as applications that send and receive electronic mail, implement messaging tasks as their primary focus. For non-messaging client applications, which are referred to as being "messaging-enabled" or "messaging-aware," it is a secondary feature.
The MAPI subsystem is made up of the MAPI spooler 310, a common user interface (not shown), and the programming interfaces 315. The MAPI spooler is a separate interface that is responsible for sending electronic messages to and receiving electronic messages from a messaging system. The common user interface is a set of dialog boxes that gives client applications a consistent look and users a consistent way to perform tasks.
The programming interfaces 315 are used by the MAPI subsystem 305, by client applications 300, and by service provider writers. The main programming interface is an object-based interface known as the MAPI programming interface, which is based on the OLE Component Object Model. Client applications may also utilize any of three other interfaces, including simple MAPI, Common Messaging Calls (CMC) and the OLE Messaging Library, which are primarily for messaging-enabled and messaging-aware client applications.
The MAPI spooler 310 is a separate process within the MAPI subsystem 305 and is responsible for sending electronic messages to and receiving electronic messages from a messaging system 320. The spooler runs as a background process and also performs several functions related to electronic message distribution. These include informing a client application when a new message has been delivered, invoking message preprocessing and post processing, generating reports that indicate that message delivery has occurred, and maintaining status on processed recipients.
The MAPI service providers 325 are located between MAPI subsystem 305 and the messaging systems 320. Service providers are drivers that connect MAPI client applications 300 to an underlying messaging system 320. Most messaging systems include three types of service providers: message store providers 330, address book or directory providers 335, and message transport providers 340. The service providers work with MAPI to create and send electronic messages in the following way. Electronic messages are created using a form that is appropriate for the specific type, or class, of message. The completed electronic message is addressed to one or more recipients. When the client sends the message, the message store provider 330 checks that each recipient has a unique and valid address and that the message has all of the information necessary for transmission. If there is a question about a recipient, such as can occur when there are multiple recipients with the same name, an address book provider resolves the ambiguity. The electronic message in then placed in the outbound queue.
Address book providers 335 handle access to directory information. Depending on the type of recipient and the address book provider, there is a wide range of information that can be made available. For example, all address book providers 335 store a recipient's name, address, and address type and organize the data using one or more containers. MAPI integrates all the information supplied by the installed address book providers into a single address book, thereby presenting a unified view to the client application. The users of client applications can view the contents of address book containers and in some cases modify it. MAPI's Personal Address Book is an example of a modifiable address book container that allows new entries to be added and exiting entries to be modified or deleted.
Message store providers 330 handle the storage and retrieval of electronic messages and other information for the users of a client application. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the message information is organized using a hierarchical system known as a message store, which is implemented in multiple levels, with containers called folders holding electronic messages of different types. There is no limit to the number of levels in a message store, and folders can contain many sub-folders.
Electronic messages are units of data that are transferred from one user or application to another user or application. Every message contains some text and envelope information, which is used for transmission. Some electronic messages include one or more attachments, or additional data related to and transported with a message. The attachments and additional data may be in the form of a file, another message, or an OLE object.
Transport providers 340 handle message transmission and reception. They control the interaction between the MAPI spooler 310 and the underlying messaging system 320. They also implement security if necessary and take care of any pre-processing and post-processing tasks that are required. Client applications 300 communicate with the transport providers 340 through a message store provider 330. When an incoming message is detected, the transport provider informs the MAPI spooler and the message is delivered to the appropriate message store. To handle outgoing messages, the message store moves the message to the outbound queue, informs the MAPI spooler, and the spooler transfers it to the appropriate transport providers.
The operation of these MAPI components is illustrated by describing the flow of an electronic message through these components. The user of a client application 300 sends an electronic message to one or more recipients. A message store provider 330 initiates the sending process and formats the message with additional information needed for transmission. The MAPI spooler 310 receives the electronic message, performs any required preprocessing, and delivers it to the appropriate transport provider 340. The transport provider 340 gives the message to its messaging system 320, which sends it to the intended recipient(s). When an electronic message is received, the transport provider 340 receives a message from its messaging system 320 and notifies the MAPI spooler 310. The spooler 310 performs any necessary post processing and informs the message store provider 330 that a new message has arrived. The notification causes the client application 300 to refresh its message display, which enables the user to read the new message.
Client application users can access a summary view of the messages contained within each folder or view them individually with a form. Whether the client displays a standard form supplied by MAPI or a custom form supplied by a form developer depends on the type, or class, of the message. In FIG. 3, the first folder 400 contains note messages and uses the MAPI standard note form. The second folder 405 contains inventory request messages and uses a custom inventory form. The information on both forms represents the properties, or attributes, of the message. Messages are the units of data transferred from one user to another. Every message contains some text, which is formatted simply or more intricately depending on the form that is used, and envelope information that is used for transmission.
A MAPI property is an attribute of a MAPI object, and describes something about the object, such as the subject line of a message of the address type of a distribution list. Every MAPI property has a value, a type, and an identifier. The value is the descriptive data, such as the text in a message body. The type describes the kind of data, such as a string, numeric, or Boolean. The identifier is the number that uniquely describes the property. The identifier and type are combined to form a "property tag," which is a constant that can be used to easily refer to the property. Property tags share a common format. They begin with the prefix "PR" and are made up of one or more words that describe the property. For example, PR-- MESSAGE-- BODY is the tag for the message body property. The property tag and value are stored together in system memory 15 (FIG. 1) as a single data structure.
MAPI also employs "profiles," which are collections of information about the message services and service providers that a user of a client application 300 wants to be available during a particular MAPI session. Every user has at least one profile. Multiple profiles may be used in some cases. For example, a user might have one profile to work with a server-based message store service and another profile to work with a message store service on the local computer. A user may have profiles on more than one computer. Similarly, a computer may store profiles for more than one user. Profiles provide a flexible way to select combinations of message systems.
In the MAPI environment, a form is a viewer for an electronic message. Each message has a message class that determines the particular form that is used as its viewer. MAPI defines a few messages classes and has implemented the forms for viewing these messages. Client application developers can create new message classes and custom forms for viewing messages with the new classes.
Every custom form implements a set of standard menu commands (e.g., open, create, delete, and reply) and a set of commands that are specific to that particular form. These commands are also referred to as "verbs." FIG. 4 illustrates the MAPI form architecture, which involves three main components: a form registry provider 500, a form server 505, and a form viewer 510.
The form registry provider 500 maintains a library of information about all of the forms available on the computer and enables the client to select a form that is suitable for the message being displayed. Form data is stored in a form registry 502, which is stored in one of the computer's memory storage devices. The form server 505 is responsible for displaying the form and providing the information for the display. The form server manages the user's interaction with the form by interpreting the menu selections and processing the messages. The form viewer 510 is a component within a client application that contains the display and presents it to the user.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that MAPI provides a wide variety of features and functions in addition to those included in the brief description presented above. For additional information regarding MAPI, the reader may refer to the MAPI documentation, entitled Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) version 1.0, which is published by Microsoft Corporation, and which is incorporated herein by reference.
AN EXEMPLARY APPLICATION PROGRAM
As mentioned above, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is represented by the "OUTLOOK 97" desktop information manager. The preferred client application is divided into several modules, including a calendar manager, a task list manager, a contact manager, a message manager (e-mail), and a notes manager. In the preferred client application, integration between the modules is both simple and extensive because all information is stored in a MAPI data store, which is an extensible, object-oriented database. The preferred application program incorporates the features of MAPI version 1.0.
All folders (containers) contain objects, or items. In the preferred application program, there are a variety of kinds of items: e-mail items, appointment items, task items, address items, etc. Items have a set of fields and a behavior associated with them. For example, an e-mail item has To, From, CC, Subject, date and time fields among others. The behavior of e-mail items includes knowledge of what it means to Forward or Reply/Reply All.
In the preferred application program, items consist of a variety of data, which are stored as MAPI properties. A user views and interacts with an item in the context of a form, which includes a variety of fields. In some cases, a field maps directly to a MAPI property. However, there can be a many-to-many mapping between a form's fields and the MAPI properties in which the corresponding data are stored. Similarly, there may be properties that are not displayed in any of a form's fields.
In the preferred application program, each item is initially created from a template, which provides a "mold" for the new items. A template describes the fields and properties associated with the item, including the data types, default values, formatting rules, etc. For example, there would be a default template for each type of item listed above: appointments, to-do items, notes, e-mail messages, etc.
From this brief description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the preferred application program provides a wide variety of features and functions in addition to those included in the brief description presented above. For additional information regarding the "OUTLOOK 97" application program, the reader may refer to the documentation that is distributed with the program.
THE PREFERRED METHOD FOR CREATING AND EDITING RULES FOR PROCESSING ELECTRONIC MESSAGES
Electronic message processing rules are user-defined instructions for managing incoming and outgoing electronic messages. Rules execute specific tasks when user-defined criteria are met and provide an effective way to process electronic messages without requiring users to spend a lot of time sorting through their inboxes deleting, filing, and responding to their messages. The present invention provides an improved system and method for creating and editing rules for processing electronic messages, such as e-mail, meeting requests, and task requests. Generally described, the invention is embodied in a "Rules Wizard," which divides the process into discrete steps and provides a user-friendly interface for creating and editing rules. At each step, the user selects the parameters that constitute the rule. As parameters are selected, the rule is composed and presented to the user in the form of a natural language (e.g., English) sentence, instead of in a programming-type language. If the rule requires more information from the user, the user is prompted by highlighted text within the natural language sentence itself. The user can then select the highlighted text and define the variable. The rule creating process is further simplified by the use of templates and context-specific rules. Once created, the rules may be executed by the client application or the mail server.
Each rule includes conditions and actions, and may also include exceptions. "Conditions" are the criteria that are available for making new rules. A rule will not be executed unless its conditions are satisfied. Each rule typically contains at least one condition. Multiple conditions can be strung together with "and" clauses. In this case, all of the conditions must be met for the rule to execute. Alternatively, multiple conditions could be joined using the disjunctive connector "or" so that action will be taken if one of several conditions is present. If a rule contains no conditions, it will be applied to every sent or received item (depending on whether it is a send rule or a delivery rule).
"Actions" are the events that occur when the rule's conditions are met. Each rule typically includes at least one action. Multiple actions can be assigned to a single rule. If multiple actions are to be executed, the order of execution may be critical to successful execution of the rule. For example, if a user wants to forward a message and then delete it, the steps must be carried out in that order. If the message is deleted first, it will not be available to be forwarded. In the "OUTLOOK 97" program, actions are organized by priority and are executed in order of priority in order to avoid such problems.
"Exceptions" allow a user to identify criteria or conditions that will prevent a rule from executing. Multiple exceptions may be combined with "or" clauses. If multiple exceptions are included, the actions associated with the rule will not be executed if any of the exceptions are true. Exceptions are optional.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although rules are presented or displayed to the user in a natural language format, each rule is also stored in a machine-readable format for execution by the computer. Generally described, the machine readable form of a rule includes a Boolean expression that represents the natural language rule's condition and exception clauses, and a list of actions that represent the natural language phrase's actions clauses.
The Boolean expression for each natural language condition or exception clause is of the form:
PROPERTY! COMPARISON OP! VALUE!
where PROPERTY is the MAPI property or properties that correspond to the property mentioned in the rule, COMPARISON OP is the operator used for the comparison, and VALUE is the value the user specified for the variable. For example, PR-- SUBJECT is the MAPI property used for a message's "subject" field, and the operator includes comparisons such as checking to see if two values are equal.
The machine-readable format for each natural language action clause is of the form:
ACTION! PARAMETER 1! PARAMETER 2! . . . !
where ACTION is an identifier for the selected action and PARAMETER N is a parameter associated with the action. For example, the PARAMETER may be the identifier of the folder into which matching messages are to be filed.
The rules feature associated with the "OUTLOOK 97" program employs a "Rules Wizard" to provide step-by-step guidance during rule creation and editing. The Rules Wizard uses a sequence of windows to walk the user through the process of creating or editing a rule. A Start/Templates window provides a list of available templates, a switch for selecting send/delivery rules, and a rule description area. A Conditions window directs the user to select the conditions on which the rule will act. An Actions window allows the user to choose the action or actions the rule will execute. An Exceptions window gives the user a listing of available exceptions. Finally, a Naming window allows the user to name the rule and turn it on or off.
FIG. 5 is a state diagram of the method 550 carried out by the Rules Wizard. The method begins at the idle state 555. When a user selects the create/edit rule function, the method 550 proceeds to state 560 and displays a Start/Templates window. This window allows the user to create a new rule or edit or rename an existing rule. The user may view a list of previously created rules, which are stored in the user's MAPI profile. If the user desires to create a new rule, the user may choose one of three options. First, the user may simply proceed to choose the conditions and actions from a list of available possibilities. Optionally, the user may select templates that are designed to carry out certain functions. The user may also select a "rules from context" option from the idle state 555, which builds rules based on the properties of the message currently being viewed. Each of these options is discussed in more detail below.
When the user selects one of the available options at state 560 or selects the "rules from context" option from the idle state 555, the method 550 proceeds to state 565 and displays a conditions window. The conditions window allows the user to choose the conditions on which the rule will act. In conditions that include variables, the variables are displayed as underlined text in order to indicate that the variables are defined via hypertext links. After a condition is selected, the user has the opportunity to select the hypertext link and define the variable from a dialog or other user interface object (state 570). The user may also return to state 560 by selecting the "back" option. A list of exemplary conditions for display in the conditions window is provided in Table I.
              TABLE I
______________________________________
if sent directly to me
if sent only to me
if I am on the cc line
if sent directly to me or I am on the cc line
where I'm not on the `To` line
if from an address list
if sent to an address list
if subject contains specific words
if body contains specific words
if subject or body contain specific words
if tagged for follow-up
if the sender has marked it as important
if the sender has marked it as sensitive
if assigned to a category
if it is an out-of-office notification
if it has an attachment
______________________________________
FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c illustrate the type of information provided in the conditions window 600 as the user works through the process of selecting available conditions and providing required parameters (see states 565 and 570 of FIG. 5). The conditions window includes a conditions display area 605 and a rule description area 610. The conditions display area 605 displays the conditions that are available to the user. The rule description area 610 includes a natural language statement of the rule as it is constructed. The conditions window 600 also includes controls labeled cancel 620, back 625, next 630, and finish 635. These controls perform the common functions of allowing a user to navigate between windows and to cancel or complete an operation.
FIG. 6a illustrates the state of the conditions window 600 when the Rules Wizard first displays the window (FIG. 5, state 565). The conditions display area 605 includes a list of the conditions from which the user may choose. A check box is located next to each condition. At this point in the process, the rules description area 610 simply includes the initial phrase of a natural language expression of a rule ("For each message") and a statement indicating that the rule will be applied to messages as they are received. Alternatively, the user may specify that the rule is to be applied after an incoming message is first read, or when an outgoing message is sent. Similarly, rules may be designed to existing folders and their messages immediately, or on a periodic basis. This allows the rules feature to be used to "clean up" folders full of messages.
FIG. 6b illustrates the state of the conditions window 600 after the user has selected the condition "from an address list" in the conditions display area 605. When a condition is selected, the rule description area 610 is modified to add the selected phrase to the natural language expression of the rule. Thus, the rule now reads "For each message from an address list" and expresses the conditional portion of the rule in an easy-to-understand natural language format.
The words "an address list" are underlined in order to represent a variable that must be replaced by the user. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that underlined text is commonly used to indicate a hypertext link. In order to define the variable (in this case, an address list), the user moves the cursor over the hypertext portion of the rule as it is displayed in the rules description area 610 and selects the hypertext. The Rules Wizard then displays a dialog (not shown) that allows the user to select from available objects, such as an address list (FIG. 5, state 570).
Those skilled in the art will understand that when a user selects a variable, a dialog is displayed with the appropriate user interface for selecting variables of that type. For example, if the variable holds a mail address, the user gets a window that allows them to pick or enter a mail address. Likewise, if the variable holds a word, the user gets a window that allows them to enter a word.
FIG. 6c illustrates the conditions window 600 after the user has selected a specific address list in place of the variable in the condition statement. In this example, the user has defined the variable with an address list called "SOC Hiking Information." This name has been threaded back into the rule that is displayed in the rule description area 610. Thus, the rule now reads "For each message from SOC Hiking Information." The address list name remains underlined in order to indicate that the address list is a variable. The address list name may be edited by selecting the underlined text in the rule description area 610 of the conditions window 600.
When the user has finished selecting conditions and defining constituent variables, the user selects the Next control 630 and proceeds to select the actions that will form a part of the rules. This causes the method 550 (FIG. 5) to proceed from state 565 to state 575.
At state 575 the Rules Wizard displays an actions window, which provides the user interface that allows the user to select the actions that will take place when the conditions are satisfied. Like the conditions described above, the actions that include variables are displayed as hypertext links. After an action is selected, the user has the opportunity to select the hypertext link and choose the variable from a dialog (state 580). A list of exemplary actions for display in the actions window is provided in Table II.
              TABLE II
______________________________________
        file it in the designated folder
        file a copy in the designated folder
        delete it
        forward it to an address list
        reply using a specific template
        notify me using a specific message
        tag it for follow up in `n` days
        clear follow up
        assign to category
        play a .wav file
        mark it as important
        mark it as sensitive
______________________________________
FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c illustrate the type of information provided in the actions window 700 as the user works through the process of selecting available actions and providing required parameters (see states 575 and 580 of FIG. 5). The actions window includes an actions display area 705 and a rule description area 710. The actions display area 705 displays the actions that are available to the user. The rule description area 710 includes the natural language statement of the rule as it is constructed. The actions window 700 also includes controls labeled cancel 720, back 725, next 730, and finish 735. These controls perform the common functions of allowing a user to navigate between windows and to cancel or complete an operation.
FIG. 7a illustrates the state of the actions window 700 when the Rules Wizard first displays the window (FIG. 5, state 575). The actions display area 705 includes a list of the actions from which the user may choose. A check box is located next to each action. At this point in the process, the rules description area 710 includes the conditional portion of the rule that was defined earlier and the statement indicating that this rule will be applied to messages as they are received.
FIG. 7b illustrates the state of the actions window 700 after the user has selected the action "file it in the designated folder" in the actions display area 705. When a action is selected, the rule description area 710 is modified to add the selected phrase to the natural language expression of the rule. Thus, the rule now reads "For each message from SOC Hiking Information, file it in the designated folder" and expresses the condition and action portions of the rule in an easy-to-understand natural language format.
The word "designated" is underlined in order to represent a variable that must be defined by the user. In order to define the variable (in this case, the destination folder), the user moves the cursor over the hypertext portion of the rule as it is displayed in the rules description area 710 and selects the hypertext. Alternatively, the user may tab to the highlighted hypertext part of the rule and press the "enter" key. In either case, the Rules Wizard then displays a dialog (not shown) that allows the user to select from available objects, such as an address list (FIG. 5, state 580).
FIG. 7c illustrates the actions window 700 after the user has identified a specific folder name in place of the variable in the action statement. In this example, the user has selected a folder called "Hiking." This folder name has been threaded back into the rule that is displayed in the rule description area 710. Thus, the rule now reads "For each message from SOC Hiking Information file it in the Hiking folder." The folder name remains underlined in order to indicate that the folder name is a variable, which may be edited by selecting the underlined text in the rule description area 710 of the actions window 700.
When the user has finished selecting conditions and defining variables, the user selects the Next control 630 and proceeds to select the actions that will form a part of the rules. This causes the method 550 (FIG. 5) to proceed from state 575 to state 585.
At state 585 the Rules Wizard displays an exceptions window, which provides the user interface that allows the user to select specific exceptions to the conditions that were specified earlier. Like the conditions and actions described above, the exceptions that include variables are displayed as hypertext links. After an exception is selected, the user has the opportunity to click on the hypertext link and select the variable from a dialog (state 590). A list of exemplary exceptions for display in the exceptions window is provided in Table III.
              TABLE III
______________________________________
except if sent directly to me
except is sent only to me
except where I'm not on the `To` line
except if from an address list
except if sent to an address list
except if subject contains specific words
except if body contains specific words
except if subject or body contains specific words
except if tagged for follow-up
except if the sender has marked it as important
except if the sender has marked it as sensitive
except if assigned to category
except if it is an out-of-office notification
except if it has an attachment
______________________________________
FIGS. 8a, 8b, and 8c illustrate the type of information provided in the exceptions window 800 as the user works through the process of selecting available exceptions and defining constituent variables (see states 585 and 590 of FIG. 5). The exceptions window includes an exceptions display area 805 and a rule description area 810. The exceptions display area 805 displays the exceptions that are available to the user. The rule description area 810 includes a natural language statement of the rule as it has been constructed to this point. The exceptions window 800 also includes controls labeled cancel 820, back 825, next 830, and finish 835, which allow a user to navigate between windows and to cancel or complete an operation.
FIG. 8a illustrates the state of the exceptions window 800 when the Rules Wizard first displays the window (FIG. 5, state 585). The exceptions display area 805 includes a list of the exceptions from which the user may choose. A check box is located next to each exception. At this point in the process, the rules description area 810 includes the conditional and action portions of the rule that were defined earlier and the statement indicating that this rule will be applied to messages as they are received.
FIG. 8b illustrates the state of the exceptions window 800 after the user has selected the exception "except if body contains specific words" in the exceptions display area 805. When an exception is selected, the rule description area 810 is modified to add the selected phrase to the natural language expression of the rule. Thus, the rule now reads "For each message from SOC Hiking Information, file it in the Hiking folder except if body contains specific words" and expresses the condition, action, and exception portions of the rule in an easy-to-understand natural language format.
The words "specific words" are underlined in order to represent a variable that must be replaced by the user. In order to define the variable (in this case, the specific words), the user moves the cursor over the hypertext portion of the rule as it is displayed in the rules description area 810 and selects the hypertext. The Rules Wizard then displays a dialog (not shown) that allows the user to specify the words that define the variable (FIG. 5, state 590).
FIG. 8c illustrates the exceptions window 800 after the user has provided specific words in place of the variable in the exception statement. In this example, the user has entered the words "Appalachian Trail." These words have been threaded back into the rule that is displayed in the rule description area 810. Thus, the rule now reads "For each message from SOC Hiking Information file it in the Hiking folder except if body contains Appalachian Trail." The words "Appalachian Trail" remain underlined in order to indicate that they are a variable, which may be edited by selecting the underlined text in the rule description area 810 of the exceptions window 800. As mentioned above, the window or dialog that allows a user to define a variable will vary depending on the type of variable being defined.
When the user has finished selecting exceptions and providing any required variables, the user selects the Next control 630 or Finish control 835. This causes the method 550 (FIG. 5) to proceed from state 585 to state 595.
At state 595 the Rules Wizard displays an naming window, which allows the user to select name the rule and turn it on or off. Once the rule is named, the rule is stored in the user's MAPI profile. At that point, the Rules Wizard is removed from the display and the method 550 returns to the idle state 555.
From the foregoing description, advantages of the present invention should be immediately apparent. For example, the Rules Wizard provides step-by-step guidance during rule creation and editing. The Rules Wizard uses a sequence of windows to walk the user through the process of creating a rule. The Start/Templates window provides a list of available template options and allows the user to view and edit previously created rules. The Conditions window directs the user to select the conditions on which the rule will act. The Actions window allows the user to choose the action the rule will execute. The Exceptions window gives the user a listing of available exceptions. Finally, the Naming window allows the user to name the rule and turn it on or off.
To modify an existing rule, the user selects the existing rule from a dialog. If the user simply wants to redefine a variable, he or she clicks the hypertext and selects from the dialog. If the user wants to change the structure of the rule, the user will be guided by the Rules Wizard.
Displaying the rules in a natural language format also allows users to create rules by stepping through a logical sequence (i.e., conditions, actions, exceptions) and piecing together clauses of natural language (e.g., English) text. Each clause may have one or more variables that need to be defined by the user. When completed, the rule reads like a natural language sentence. Natural language rules more accurately reflect the way users think about organizing mail and is more like the way people give instructions to other people. This approach completely avoids the need to think in a programming-like syntax or to type in rules from scratch.
The variables in the displayed rules are displayed as hypertext. When a user selects the variable, a dialog is displayed with the appropriate user interface for selecting the folder, user, etc. that is required to define the variable. Once selected, the user-selected variable is threaded back into the natural language sentence. Because the variable maintains it hypertext properties, it makes it easy for the user to determine exactly which parts of the rule are variable, and provides a consistent path for modifying the variables.
The "OUTLOOK 97" program also provides rules templates and "rules from context" features that further simply the process of creating rules.
Rule templates wrap common combinations of discrete conditions, actions, and exceptions into packages. When a user selects a particular template (FIG. 5, state 560) the associated conditions, actions, and exceptions are immediately displayed in the rule description area of the conditions window, with the variables displayed as hypertext links. After the rule has been displayed in the rule description area, the user proceeds to select the underlined variables and define values for those variables. This allows a user to quickly create a rule by selecting a template and defining the required parameters. A list of exemplary templates is provided in Table IV.
              TABLE IV
______________________________________
assign categories based on keyword
notify me when important messages arrive
file new messages based on keyword
ignore a conversation
flag messages from someone special
assign categories to sent items
file new messages from someone special
file new messages sent to a distribution list
flag message I send to someone special
notify me when private messages arrive
______________________________________
For example, if the user selects the template entitled "file new messages from someone special" the Rules Wizard will then display a conditions window (FIG. 5, step 565) with the following rule displayed in the rule description area 610: "For each message from an address list file it in the designated folder." The user must then complete the rule by defining the address list and folder variables.
The "rules from context" features allows a user to create new rules based on the specific information in an existing message. If the user selects the rules from context feature from a mail window, the Rules Wizard no longer blindly offers its generic choices of conditions and actions. Instead, the Rules Wizard examines the properties of the selected message and offers "custom" suggestions for the variables in available conditions and actions statements. This is accomplished by splicing information from the active message and incorporating it into the natural language expression of the conditions and actions. Thus, the user creates a rule using the user interface provided by the Rules Wizard. However, the parameters from the selected, existing message are already threaded into the natural language statements.
If a user opens an e-mail message and then invokes the Rules Wizard, the Wizard will give the user the option of generating a rule that acts on parameters that are similar to the message that is currently open. FIG. 9a illustrates a conditions window 900 that will be displayed if a user selects the Rules Wizard while viewing a message that is from Tom Smith, has the subject "Hiking Equipment Sale," and is located in a folder entitled "Hiking." As illustrated in FIG. 9a, the Rules Wizard has extracted the salient features from the open messages and threaded parameters from that message into the available conditions, which are displayed in a conditions display area 905.
Once the user chooses a condition or set of conditions, the Rules Wizard will offer several custom actions. FIG. 9b illustrates an actions window 910 with custom actions derived from the message in the example. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the standard conditions and actions are still available and that other than expanding the choice of conditions and actions available, the Rules from Context feature does not alter the functionality of the Rules Wizard in any way.
To obtain the parameters that are displayed in the natural language rules that are created, the Rules from Context feature examines the relevant properties of the message on which it acts. The header fields or properties contain information such as the sender's name, the subject, the importance level, the sensitivity level, etc. The program then splices relevant information into natural language phrases. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although the variables are automatically defined by the Rules from Context feature, they still maintain their hypertext properties and can be changed. Rules from Context streamlines the process of creating rules, which allows the user to be more efficient in his or her use of electronic messages. However, the feature does not limit the flexibility of the Rules system in any way because users still have the option to alter suggestions made by the Rules from Context.
The rules feature also provides independent client/server implementation of the rules. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a client/server implementation is one in which many personal computers, referred to as clients, are connected to a central computer, called the server. While the clients maintain all of the functionality of personal computer, their connection to the server allows them to communicate with other clients through the server and to receive server-based services, such as mail services. Current mail systems allow a user to have a mailbox on the server as well as a mailbox on their client computer. The user can have mail delivered directly to either account. For example, the "OUTLOOK 97" program allows multiple transport providers to be registered in the user's MAPI profile. A user may have their company-related e-mail account on a server (e.g., a "Microsoft Exchange" server) and an Internet mail account on his or her on personal computer. In this case, the e-mail will be delivered to the user's inbox on the client computer by different transport providers.
The rules feature in the "OUTLOOK 97" program is a true client/server implementation because rules can act upon messages delivered to either the server or the client. This allows mail to be processed at the server even if the user's computer is not operating. Because the rules execute in two locations, the system automatically maintains rule synchronization between the client and the server. If rules are modified while a client is offline, the rules are synchronized with the user's server the next time the client is connected to the server. This is accomplished by comparing the current set of client-based rules to the rules on the server. If there is a discrepancy, the user selects which set of rules he or she prefers to use, and the old rules on the client or server are updated accordingly.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all rules can be run on the server because one or more of the conditions, actions, or exceptions is dependent on the client being logged in. When a rule is constructed, the program determines whether the rules includes client-dependent components. If so, the rule may not run on the server and resides solely on the client. If the rule does not include any client-dependent components, the rule will be uploaded to the server and registered with the user's mail server. Rules that are uploaded to the server will also be retained on the client. By implementing all rules on the client as client based rules, the system ensures that messages delivered to the user's inbox will be processed by the rules regardless of which transport provider delivered the message. In other words, a user may receive mail from multiple servers, and some of the servers may not be able to process rules. By having client rules, the rules are processed regardless of whether the message is received from a server that can or cannot process rules. However, by running the rule on the server when possible, the system ensures that messages will be processed quickly and efficiently even if the client is not logged in. If a rule is run on a message at the server, that rule will not be run again when the message reaches the client computer.
SUMMARY OF THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION
From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides an improved system and method for creating, editing, and distributing rules for processing electronic messages. In an exemplary system, a Rules Wizard provides simple, step-by-step guidance through the rule making process. At each step, rules are constructed from natural language phrases that are selected by the user. As a condition, action, or exception is selected, the rules is displayed in a natural language format. Any variables in the natural language representation of the rule are highlighted and displayed as hypertext links. When the variable is specified by the user, the generic variable is replaced with the specific information provided by the user. Rule creation is further facilitated by choosing a predefined template, or by creating a new rule based on the properties of a currently open message. Finally, the rules are distributed between the client and server and synchronized in order to process messages in the most efficient and timely manner.
The foregoing system may conveniently be implemented in one or more program modules that are based upon the state diagram of FIG. 5, and the features illustrated in FIGS. 6-9. No particular programming language has been described for carrying out the various procedures described above because it is considered that the operations, steps, and procedures described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are sufficiently disclosed to permit one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the present invention. Moreover, there are many computers and operating systems which may be used in practicing the present invention and therefore no detailed computer program could be provided which would be applicable to all of these many different systems. Each user of a particular computer will be aware of the language and tools which are most useful for that user's needs and purposes.
Although the invention was described in the context of a program in which the conditions, actions, exceptions, and templates are predefined, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is extensible and that system administrators may be able to implement rules components and templates in addition to those described herein.
The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description.

Claims (24)

What is claimed is:
1. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display device and a user interface selection device, a method for constructing a rule for processing electronic messages, comprising the steps of:
displaying on the display device the current state of the rule in a natural language format;
displaying on the display device a plurality of conditions upon which the rule will cause action to be taken;
receiving from the user interface selection device an input signal indicating the selection of one of the conditions;
in response to the selection of one of the conditions, adding the selected condition to the displayed current state of the rule;
displaying on the display device a plurality of actions that may be taken in response to the condition;
receiving from the user interface selection device an input signal indicating the selection of one of the actions;
in response to the selection of one of the actions, adding the selected action to the displayed current state of the rule;
displaying on the display device a list of exceptions to the selected condition;
receiving from the user interface selection device an input signal indicating the selection of one of the exceptions; and
in response to the selection of one of the exceptions, adding the selected exception to the displayed current state of the rule.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the displayed current state of the rule includes a variable displayed as a highlighted object, and further comprising the steps of:
receiving from the user interface selection device an input signal indicating the selection of the highlighted object;
in response to the selection of the highlighted object, displaying on the display device a user interface object including a definition for the variable;
receiving from the user interface selection device an input signal indicating the definition of the variable; and
in response to the definition of the variable, displaying on the display device the current state of the rule with the definition in place of the variable.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of examining properties associated with an existing message; and
wherein the plurality of conditions and plurality of actions include a plurality of displayed variables derived from the properties associated with the existing message.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
determining whether the rule may be run on a server; and
in response to the rule being able to be run on the server, uploading the rule to the server.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing the rule for subsequent processing of electronic messages.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the rule is stored on the computer system and on a server associated with the computer system.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the rule is executed on only one of the computer system and the server.
8. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of synchronizing rules stored on the computer system with rules stored on the server.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the rule is used to process electronic messages stored in a folder.
10. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display device and a user interface selection device, a method for constructing a rule for processing electronic messages, comprising the steps of:
displaying on the display device a list of rule templates;
receiving from the user interface selection device an input signal indicating the selection of one of the rule templates;
displaying on the display device a condition associated with the selected template;
displaying on the display device an action associated with the selected template;
displaying on the display device the current state of the rule in a natural language format;
displaying on the display device a list of exceptions to the selected condition;
receiving from the user interface selection device an input signal indicating he selection of one of the exceptions;
in response to the selection of one of the exceptions, adding the selected exception to the displayed current state of the rule; and
storing the rule for subsequent processing of electronic messages.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the displayed current state of the rule includes a variable displayed as highlighted object, and further comprising the steps of:
receiving from the user interface selection device an input signal indicating the selection of the highlighted object;
in response to the selection of the highlighted object, displaying on the display device a dialog including a definition for the variable;
receiving from the user interface selection device an input signal indicating the definition of the variable; and
in response to the definition of the variable, displaying on the display device the current state of the rule with the definition in place of the variable.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the highlighted object comprises highlighted text.
13. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 10.
14. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:
displaying a plurality of conditions upon which the rule will cause an action to be taken;
receiving an input signal indicating the selection of one of the conditions;
displaying a plurality of actions that may be taken in response to the condition;
receiving an input signal indicating the selection of one of the actions;
displaying the current state of the rule in a natural language format, the rule including the selected condition, the selected action, and a variable displayed as a highlighted object;
receiving an input signal indicating the selection of the highlighted object;
in response to the selection of the highlighted object, displaying a dialog including a definition for the variable;
receiving an input signal indicating the selection of the definition for the variable;
in response to the selection of the definition of the variable, displaying the current state of the rule with the definition in place of the variable;
displaying a list of exceptions to the selected condition;
receiving an input signal indicating the selection of one of the exceptions;
in response to the selection of one of the exceptions, adding the selected exception to the displayed current state of the rule; and
storing the rule for subsequent processing of electronic messages.
15. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the instructions further perform the step of examining properties associated with an existing message; and
wherein the variable is derived from the properties associated with the existing message.
16. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the instructions further perform the steps of:
determining whether the rule may be run on a server; and
in response to the rule being able to be run on the server, uploading the rule to the server.
17. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the highlighted object comprises highlighted text.
18. A method for distributing electronic message handling rules between a server and a client having a display device and a user interface selection device, comprising the steps of:
displaying on the display device the current state of the rule in a natural language format;
displaying on the display device a plurality of conditions upon which the rule will cause action to be taken;
receiving from the user interface selection device an input signal indicating the selection of one of the conditions;
in response to the selection of one of the conditions, adding the selected condition to the displayed current state of the rule;
displaying on the display device a plurality of actions that may be taken in response to the condition;
receiving from the user interface selection device an input signal indicating the selection of one of the actions;
in response to the selection of one of the actions, adding the selected action to the displayed current state of the rule;
displaying on the display device a list of exceptions to the selected condition;
receiving from the user interface selection device an input signal indicating he selection of one of the exceptions;
in response to the selection of one of the exceptions, adding the selected exception to the displayed current state of the rule;
determining whether the selected condition may be run on a server;
determining whether the selected action may be run on the server;
determining whether the selected exception may be run on the server; and
in response to the selected condition, the selected action and the selected exception being able to be run on the server, uploading the rule to the server.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the displayed current state of the rule includes a variable displayed as highlighted text, and further comprising the steps of:
receiving from the user interface selection device an input signal indicating the selection of the highlighted text;
in response to the selection of the highlighted text, displaying on the display device a dialog including a definition for the variable;
receiving from the user interface selection device an input signal indicating the selection of the definition for the variable; and
in response to the selection of the definition of the variable, displaying the current state of the rule with the definition in place of the variable.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of examining properties associated with an existing message; and
wherein the plurality of conditions and plurality of actions include a plurality of displayed variables, and wherein the plurality of displayed variables are derived from the properties associated with the existing message.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the electronic mail handling rules are executed on only one of the server and the client.
22. A computer system for creating rules for processing electronic messages, comprising:
a processing unit;
an input device connected to the processing unit; and
a display device connected to the processing unit for displaying the message item;
memory connected to the processing unit and containing a program module;
the processing unit, responsive to instructions from the program module, being operative to:
display on the display device a plurality of conditions upon which the rule will cause action to be taken;
receive from the input device an input signal indicating the selection of one of the conditions;
display on the display device a plurality of actions that may be taken in response to the condition;
receive from the input device an input signal indicating the selection of one of the actions;
display on the display device the current state of the rule in a natural language format, the rule including the selected condition, the selected action, and a variable displayed as highlighted text;
receive from the input device an input signal indicating the selection of the highlighted text;
in response to the selection of the highlighted text, display on the display device a dialog including a definition for the variable;
receive from the input device an input signal indicating the selection of the definition for the variable;
in response to the selection of the definition of the variable, display on the display device the current state of the rule with the definition in place of the variable;
display on the display device a list of exceptions to the selected condition;
receive from the user interface selection device an input signal indicating he selection of one of the exceptions;
in response to the selection of one of the exceptions, add the selected exception to the displayed current state of the rule; and
store the rule for subsequent processing of electronic messages.
23. The computer system of claim 22, wherein the processing unit is further operative to examine properties associated with an existing message; and
wherein the variable is derived from the properties associated with the existing message.
24. The computer system of claim 22, wherein the processing unit is further operative to:
determine whether the rule may be run on a server; and
in response to the rule being able to be run on the server, upload the rule to the server.
US08/791,885 1997-01-31 1997-01-31 System and method for creating, editing, and distributing rules for processing electronic messages Expired - Lifetime US5917489A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/791,885 US5917489A (en) 1997-01-31 1997-01-31 System and method for creating, editing, and distributing rules for processing electronic messages
US09/217,700 US6057841A (en) 1997-01-31 1998-12-21 System and method for processing electronic messages with rules representing a combination of conditions, actions or exceptions

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/791,885 US5917489A (en) 1997-01-31 1997-01-31 System and method for creating, editing, and distributing rules for processing electronic messages

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/217,700 Continuation US6057841A (en) 1997-01-31 1998-12-21 System and method for processing electronic messages with rules representing a combination of conditions, actions or exceptions

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5917489A true US5917489A (en) 1999-06-29

Family

ID=25155089

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/791,885 Expired - Lifetime US5917489A (en) 1997-01-31 1997-01-31 System and method for creating, editing, and distributing rules for processing electronic messages
US09/217,700 Expired - Lifetime US6057841A (en) 1997-01-31 1998-12-21 System and method for processing electronic messages with rules representing a combination of conditions, actions or exceptions

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/217,700 Expired - Lifetime US6057841A (en) 1997-01-31 1998-12-21 System and method for processing electronic messages with rules representing a combination of conditions, actions or exceptions

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (2) US5917489A (en)

Cited By (224)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6067084A (en) * 1997-10-29 2000-05-23 International Business Machines Corporation Configuring microphones in an audio interface
US6092067A (en) * 1996-05-30 2000-07-18 Microsoft Corporation Desktop information manager for recording and viewing important events data structure
US6093215A (en) * 1997-08-12 2000-07-25 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for building templates in a component system
US6101532A (en) * 1997-06-27 2000-08-08 Hitachi, Ltd. Electronic conference system
WO2000051032A1 (en) * 1999-02-26 2000-08-31 Garfinkle Limited Partnership Ii System, method, and computer program product for generating a user selectable self-destructing e-mail
US6167523A (en) * 1997-05-05 2000-12-26 Intel Corporation Method and apparatus for forms data validation and processing control
US6182279B1 (en) 1997-08-12 2001-01-30 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for storing templates in a component system
US6195794B1 (en) * 1997-08-12 2001-02-27 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for distributing templates in a component system
US6219054B1 (en) * 1997-08-22 2001-04-17 International Business Machines Corporation Information processing method and apparatus for preparing a GUI on a client by utilizing an electronic mail message or an agent
US6230186B1 (en) * 1998-04-28 2001-05-08 Rhoda Yaker Private electronic message system
US6247045B1 (en) * 1999-06-24 2001-06-12 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for sending private messages within a single electronic message
US6327610B2 (en) * 1997-06-27 2001-12-04 Nec Corporation System for broadcasting electronic mails that separately stores and sends a portion of electronic mails with an access code for filtering and retrieving purpose
US20010051987A1 (en) * 2000-06-05 2001-12-13 Koji Fukumoto E-mail system and E-mail transmission method of broadcasting
US20010054078A1 (en) * 2000-06-19 2001-12-20 Jan Buckner Electronic database information integration process and a system and method for performing same
US6334142B1 (en) * 1997-04-15 2001-12-25 British Telecommunications Public Limited Company Method for automatic and periodic requests for messages to an e-mail server from the client
WO2002001374A1 (en) * 2000-06-27 2002-01-03 Intellinet, Inc. Electronic mail software with modular integrated authoring/reading component
US20020013817A1 (en) * 2000-07-07 2002-01-31 Collins Thomas M. Method and apparatus for distributing of e-mail to multiple recipients
US20020049715A1 (en) * 2000-05-09 2002-04-25 Serrano-Morales Carlos A. Approach for generating rules
US20020073154A1 (en) * 1996-09-30 2002-06-13 Fujitsu Limited Chat system, terminal device therefor, display method of chat system, and recording medium
US20020087479A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2002-07-04 Peter Malcolm Information management system
US20020095572A1 (en) * 2001-01-12 2002-07-18 Frank Mitchell R. System and method for providing security profile information to a user of a computer system
WO2002059713A2 (en) * 2000-11-07 2002-08-01 Aspsecure Corporation Methods for trusted messaging
US20020103872A1 (en) * 2001-01-30 2002-08-01 Naoya Watanabe Communication apparatus and control method of the same
US6442546B1 (en) * 1998-12-30 2002-08-27 At&T Corp. Messaging system with application-defined states
US20020120705A1 (en) * 2001-02-26 2002-08-29 Schiavone Vincent J. System and method for controlling distribution of network communications
US6453338B1 (en) * 1998-02-13 2002-09-17 Fujitsu Limited Electronic mail apparatus and computer readable record medium having electronic mail program recorded thereon
US20020169977A1 (en) * 2001-05-11 2002-11-14 Mazen Chmaytelli System, methods, and apparatus for distributed wireless configuration of a portable device
US20030023665A1 (en) * 2001-07-27 2003-01-30 Naoto Matsunami Storage system having a plurality of controllers
US20030028500A1 (en) * 2001-06-21 2003-02-06 Jameson Kevin Wade Collection knowledge system
US6529942B1 (en) * 1998-12-28 2003-03-04 Gateway, Inc System and method for providing recipient specific formats for electronic mail
US6546417B1 (en) * 1998-12-10 2003-04-08 Intellinet, Inc. Enhanced electronic mail system including methods and apparatus for identifying mime types and for displaying different icons
US20030101065A1 (en) * 2001-11-27 2003-05-29 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for maintaining conversation threads in electronic mail
US6599268B1 (en) 2000-06-27 2003-07-29 Becton Dickinson And Company Hypodermic syringe with a selectively retractable needle
EP1337952A2 (en) * 2000-12-01 2003-08-27 Corticon Technologies, Inc. Business rules user interface for development of adaptable enterprise applications
US20030177190A1 (en) * 2001-11-27 2003-09-18 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for interaction with electronic mail from multiple sources
US20030204585A1 (en) * 2002-04-25 2003-10-30 Yahoo! Inc. Method for the real-time distribution of streaming data on a network
US20030208544A1 (en) * 2001-10-30 2003-11-06 Oki Data Americas, Inc. Multifunction e-mail server
US20030233418A1 (en) * 2002-06-18 2003-12-18 Goldman Phillip Y. Practical techniques for reducing unsolicited electronic messages by identifying sender's addresses
US20030233410A1 (en) * 2002-06-06 2003-12-18 International Business Machines Corporation Electronic carbon copy dissemination control
US20040054737A1 (en) * 2002-09-17 2004-03-18 Daniell W. Todd Tracking email and instant messaging (IM) thread history
US20040054736A1 (en) * 2002-09-17 2004-03-18 Daniell W. Todd Object architecture for integration of email and instant messaging (IM)
US20040054646A1 (en) * 2002-09-17 2004-03-18 Daniell W. Todd Address book for integrating email and instant messaging (IM)
EP1402486A1 (en) * 2001-06-27 2004-03-31 Snapcount Limited Transcation processing
US20040078448A1 (en) * 2002-09-17 2004-04-22 Malik Dale W. Initiating instant messaging (IM) chat sessions from email messages
US20040078447A1 (en) * 2002-09-17 2004-04-22 Malik Dale W. User profiles for managing email and instant messaging (IM)
US20040088359A1 (en) * 2002-11-04 2004-05-06 Nigel Simpson Computer implemented system and method for predictive management of electronic messages
US20040088357A1 (en) * 2002-11-01 2004-05-06 Harding Michael A. Method and apparatus for applying personalized rules to e-mail messages at an e-mail server
US20040093350A1 (en) * 2002-11-12 2004-05-13 E.Piphany, Inc. Context-based heterogeneous information integration system
US20040104939A1 (en) * 2002-11-22 2004-06-03 Enterasys Networks, Inc. Method and apparatus for navigating through a task on a computer
US20040114573A1 (en) * 2002-12-16 2004-06-17 Dave Mosquera Contact identifier for message types
WO2004053747A1 (en) * 2002-12-11 2004-06-24 International Business Machines Corporation Improved handling of messages in an electronic messaging system
US20040130572A1 (en) * 2003-01-07 2004-07-08 Aravind Bala Active content wizard: execution of tasks and structured content
US6769067B1 (en) * 1999-12-27 2004-07-27 James W. Soong Method and system for network communication control and security
US6772143B2 (en) * 2001-01-02 2004-08-03 Sprint Spectrum L.P. Method and system for managing messages
WO2004086250A1 (en) * 2003-03-27 2004-10-07 Smart Internet Technology Crc Pty Limited E-mail management system and method
US20040249902A1 (en) * 1999-10-20 2004-12-09 Vali Tadayon Method and apparatus for providing a web-based active virtual file system
US6842775B1 (en) 2000-08-29 2005-01-11 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for modifying mail rules
US6847989B1 (en) 2000-08-29 2005-01-25 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for creating mail rules from existing mail
US20050055410A1 (en) * 2003-05-09 2005-03-10 Landsman Richard A. Managing electronic messages
US20050060638A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-03-17 Boban Mathew Agent architecture employed within an integrated message, document and communication system
US20050080864A1 (en) * 2003-10-14 2005-04-14 Daniell W. Todd Processing rules for digital messages
US20050102249A1 (en) * 2003-11-12 2005-05-12 Bigus Joseph P. Methods and apparatus for customization of rule-based applications
US6895438B1 (en) 2000-09-06 2005-05-17 Paul C. Ulrich Telecommunication-based time-management system and method
US20050125667A1 (en) * 2003-12-09 2005-06-09 Tim Sullivan Systems and methods for authorizing delivery of incoming messages
US20050131719A1 (en) * 2003-12-16 2005-06-16 Bresnan Mark A. Document consolidator and distributor for efficient message production
US20050138430A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-06-23 Landsman Richard A. Community messaging lists for authorization to deliver electronic messages
US20050138317A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-06-23 Cannon David M. Real-time feedback for policies for computing system management
US20050154793A1 (en) * 2004-01-08 2005-07-14 Hisham Khartabil Apparatus, system, and method for rejecting a session establishment request
US20050193130A1 (en) * 2004-01-22 2005-09-01 Mblx Llc Methods and systems for confirmation of availability of messaging account to user
US20050198171A1 (en) * 2004-02-11 2005-09-08 Landsman Richard A. Managing electronic messages using contact information
US6944272B1 (en) 2001-01-16 2005-09-13 Interactive Intelligence, Inc. Method and system for administering multiple messages over a public switched telephone network
EP1581854A2 (en) * 2003-10-24 2005-10-05 Microsoft Corporation Personalized folders
US20050223060A1 (en) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-06 Hermann Lueckhoff Retrieving information for processing a received electronic message
US20050228863A1 (en) * 2004-04-07 2005-10-13 Grand Central Communications, Inc. Techniques for providing interoperability as a service
US20050235259A1 (en) * 2004-04-15 2005-10-20 Hermann Lueckhoff Designing a rule for automated computer process
US20050246304A1 (en) * 2004-04-30 2005-11-03 Microsoft Corporation End-user application customization using rules
US20050246686A1 (en) * 2004-04-30 2005-11-03 Microsoft Corporation Rules framework for definition and execution of end-user rules logic
US20050265318A1 (en) * 2004-01-08 2005-12-01 Nokia Corporation Apparatus, system, and method for rejecting a session establishment request
US6981252B1 (en) 2000-07-14 2005-12-27 Symantec Corporation Method and apparatus for automatically uninstalling software on a network
US20060010242A1 (en) * 2004-05-24 2006-01-12 Whitney David C Decoupling determination of SPAM confidence level from message rule actions
US20060031340A1 (en) * 2004-07-12 2006-02-09 Boban Mathew Apparatus and method for advanced attachment filtering within an integrated messaging platform
US6999993B1 (en) * 1999-12-15 2006-02-14 Microsoft Corporation Methods and systems for end-users extensible electronic mail
US20060069713A1 (en) * 2004-08-27 2006-03-30 Min Wei Securely and efficiently extending data processing pipeline functionality
US20060074915A1 (en) * 2004-10-01 2006-04-06 Grand Central Communications, Inc. Multiple stakeholders for a single business process
US20060132830A1 (en) * 2004-12-17 2006-06-22 International Business Machines Corporation Electronic communication distribution system
US20060143613A1 (en) * 2004-12-29 2006-06-29 Sonia Lippe Email integrated task processor
US7082458B1 (en) 2001-08-01 2006-07-25 Luigi Guadagno Dialog facilitation system for generating contextual order-preserving dialog postings and posting summaries from electronic messages
US20060168029A1 (en) * 2004-12-17 2006-07-27 International Business Machines Corporation E-mail role templates for classifying e-mail
US20060184888A1 (en) * 2005-02-17 2006-08-17 Microsoft Corporation Using existing content to generate active content wizard executables for execution of tasks
US20060195411A1 (en) * 2005-02-28 2006-08-31 Microsoft Corporation End user data activation
US20060200700A1 (en) * 2003-08-18 2006-09-07 Malcolm Peter B Data storage system
US20060200522A1 (en) * 2005-03-04 2006-09-07 Microsoft Corporation Web services processing using MAPI compliant mail applications
US20060212520A1 (en) * 2005-03-15 2006-09-21 America Online, Inc., Electronic message system with federation of trusted senders
US20060242244A1 (en) * 2005-04-04 2006-10-26 Logue Jay D Federated challenge credit system
US20070005546A1 (en) * 2005-06-14 2007-01-04 Lehman Brothers Inc. Attribute engine
US7162474B1 (en) * 2001-05-10 2007-01-09 Nortel Networks Limited Recipient controlled contact directories
US20070028160A1 (en) * 2005-07-29 2007-02-01 Microsoft Corporation Re-use wizard
US7181496B1 (en) * 2002-03-29 2007-02-20 Infowave Software Inc. Automatic email forwarding rule creation
US7185332B1 (en) 1998-03-25 2007-02-27 Symantec Corporation Multi-tiered incremental software updating
US7202972B1 (en) * 1999-03-15 2007-04-10 Oce Printing Systems Gmbh Method, computer program product and system for the transmission of computer data to an output device
US20070088793A1 (en) * 2005-10-17 2007-04-19 Landsman Richard A Filter for instant messaging
US20070094365A1 (en) * 2005-10-23 2007-04-26 Bill Nussey Provision of secure rss feeds using a secure rss catcher
US20070094329A1 (en) * 2005-10-24 2007-04-26 John Cameron System and method for accelerated dynamic data message generation and transmission
US7219129B2 (en) 2001-11-28 2007-05-15 Weissman Peter S Mail program for processing multiple email messages
WO2007068653A1 (en) * 2005-12-15 2007-06-21 International Business Machines Corporation Providing meeting information from a meeting server to an email server to store in an email database
US20070143399A1 (en) * 2005-12-15 2007-06-21 Xiaoying Qi Scheduling and searching meetings in a network environment
US20070162339A1 (en) * 2006-01-10 2007-07-12 Andreas Arning Method and System for Sending and Processing Messages Received Electronically
EP1846840A2 (en) * 2005-02-02 2007-10-24 LightSurf Technologies, Inc. A method and apparatus to implement themes for a handheld device
US20070274468A1 (en) * 2006-05-11 2007-11-29 Lucent Technologies, Inc. Retrieval of voicemail
US20070282960A1 (en) * 2003-04-18 2007-12-06 Aol Llc Sorting Electronic Messages Using Attributes of the Sender Address
US20080077571A1 (en) * 2003-07-01 2008-03-27 Microsoft Corporation Methods, Systems, and Computer-Readable Mediums for Providing Persisting and Continuously Updating Search Folders
US7359938B1 (en) 1999-12-14 2008-04-15 Nortel Networks Limited System indicating the presence of an individual or group of individuals
US20080098125A1 (en) * 2000-11-22 2008-04-24 Wang Baldonado Michelle Q System and method for managing digests comprising electronic messages
US7373519B1 (en) 2003-04-09 2008-05-13 Symantec Corporation Distinguishing legitimate modifications from malicious modifications during executable computer file modification analysis
US20080127205A1 (en) * 2006-07-31 2008-05-29 Barros Alistair P Exception handling for collaborating process models
US20080127044A1 (en) * 2006-07-31 2008-05-29 Barros Alistair P Process suspension through process model design
US20080162645A1 (en) * 2006-12-29 2008-07-03 Nokia Corporation Method and System for Providing Contact Specific Delivery Reports
EP1956534A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2008-08-13 Research In Motion Limited Method of processing calendar events, and associated handheld electronic device
US20080196002A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2008-08-14 Klaus Koster Template-based rule generation
US20080195448A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2008-08-14 May Darrell R Method Of Processing Calendar Events, And Associated Handheld Electronic Device
US20080235773A1 (en) * 2007-03-22 2008-09-25 Wistron Corp. Method of irrugalar password configuration and verification
US7444374B1 (en) 1998-12-10 2008-10-28 Michelle Baker Electronic mail software with modular integrated authoring/reading software components including methods and apparatus for controlling the interactivity between mail authors and recipients
US20090046344A1 (en) * 2005-05-26 2009-02-19 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Optical scanning apparatus and image-forming apparatus
US20090064006A1 (en) * 2007-08-30 2009-03-05 Indran Naick Techniques for Performing Tasks Associated with Custom Folder Controls
US20090113446A1 (en) * 2007-10-26 2009-04-30 Rick Allen Hamilton Method for creating adaptive distributions
US20090132479A1 (en) * 2007-10-03 2009-05-21 Oracle International Corporation Book of business mechanism
USRE40804E1 (en) 1998-08-06 2009-06-23 Aol Llc Filter-in method for reducing junk e-mail
US7552185B1 (en) 2008-07-28 2009-06-23 International Business Machines Corporation Method for associating individuals or email groups with a specific recipient field
US20090182820A1 (en) * 2008-01-14 2009-07-16 Hamilton Ii Rick Allen Method for automatically modifying electroinic distribution lists using predefined rules
US20090204675A1 (en) * 2008-02-08 2009-08-13 Microsoft Corporation Rules extensibility engine
EP2107517A1 (en) * 2008-04-04 2009-10-07 Alcatel Lucent Method for managing electronic messages from a messaging client and system for implementing the method
US7603411B1 (en) 1999-12-14 2009-10-13 Nortel Networks Limited Presence management system
US7613671B2 (en) 2005-02-15 2009-11-03 Fair Isaac Corporation Approach for re-using business rules
US7620691B1 (en) 2003-02-10 2009-11-17 Aol Llc Filtering electronic messages while permitting delivery of solicited electronics messages
US7627635B1 (en) 2003-07-28 2009-12-01 Aol Llc Managing self-addressed electronic messages
US7647411B1 (en) 2001-02-26 2010-01-12 Symantec Corporation System and method for controlling distribution of network communications
US20100077432A1 (en) * 2008-09-22 2010-03-25 Echostar Technologies Llc Methods and apparatus for presenting supplemental information in an electronic programming guide
US20100083313A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Echostar Technologies Llc. Systems and methods for graphical adjustment of an electronic program guide
US20100083315A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Echostar Technologies Llc Systems and methods for graphical control of user interface features provided by a television receiver
US20100083309A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Echostar Technologies Llc Systems and methods for providing customer service features via a graphical user interface in a television receiver
US20100083310A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Echostar Technologies Llc Methods and apparatus for providing multiple channel recall on a television receiver
US20100079681A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Echostar Technologies Llc Systems and methods for graphical control of symbol-based features in a television receiver
US20100083312A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Echostar Technologies Llc Systems and methods for graphical control of user interface features in a television receiver
US20100079671A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Echostar Technologies Llc Systems and methods for graphical control of picture-in-picture windows
US20100115550A1 (en) * 2008-10-31 2010-05-06 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Graphical interface navigation based on image element proximity
US7721328B2 (en) 2004-10-01 2010-05-18 Salesforce.Com Inc. Application identity design
USRE41411E1 (en) 1997-08-26 2010-06-29 Aol Inc. Method and system for filtering electronic messages
US20100199184A1 (en) * 2009-01-30 2010-08-05 Yahoo! Inc. Prioritizing vitality events in a social networking system
US7774376B1 (en) 2004-07-30 2010-08-10 Microsoft Corporation Type-system extensions for object-oriented language based on coercive subtyping with restrictions
US7802007B2 (en) 2004-05-19 2010-09-21 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Techniques for providing connections to services in a network environment
US20110055196A1 (en) * 2009-08-28 2011-03-03 Microsoft Corporation Data mining electronic communications
US20110055264A1 (en) * 2009-08-28 2011-03-03 Microsoft Corporation Data mining organization communications
US20110055344A1 (en) * 2007-10-04 2011-03-03 International Business Machines Corporation System for creating and modifying lists for electronic distribution
US7912863B1 (en) 2004-07-30 2011-03-22 Microsoft Corporation Compositional lifting of operations over structural types
US20110138400A1 (en) * 2009-12-03 2011-06-09 International Business Machines Corporation Automated merger of logically associated messages in a message queue
US8037141B2 (en) 2002-09-17 2011-10-11 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Instant messaging (IM) internet chat capability from displayed email messages
US20120005542A1 (en) * 2010-07-01 2012-01-05 LogRhythm Inc. Log collection, structuring and processing
US20120151380A1 (en) * 2010-12-09 2012-06-14 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Intelligent message processing
US20120191785A1 (en) * 2011-01-26 2012-07-26 Research In Motion Limited Communication device and method for sending an electronic message
US20120311057A1 (en) * 2010-02-09 2012-12-06 Zte Corporation Mobile terminal and method for switching e-mail accounts on mobile terminal
US20130086486A1 (en) * 2011-09-30 2013-04-04 Michael James Ahiakpor Mutable Message Attributes
US8504520B2 (en) 2010-06-11 2013-08-06 Microsoft Corporation Background synchronization of data objects
US8522266B1 (en) * 2000-09-13 2013-08-27 Jlb Ventures Llc System and method for insertion of recorded media into a broadcast
US20130290869A1 (en) * 2012-04-30 2013-10-31 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Selective capture of incoming email messages for diagnostic analysis
US8582957B2 (en) 2008-09-22 2013-11-12 EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C. Methods and apparatus for visually displaying recording timer information
US20130346598A1 (en) * 2012-06-25 2013-12-26 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Management server, image forming apparatus, method of providing open services gateway initiative (osgi)-based service, and computer-readable recording medium
CN103729415A (en) * 2013-12-12 2014-04-16 福建榕基软件股份有限公司 Information management method and device
US20140115495A1 (en) * 2012-10-18 2014-04-24 Aol Inc. Systems and methods for processing and organizing electronic content
EP2701106A3 (en) * 2012-08-20 2014-05-14 BlackBerry Limited Methods and devices for applying constraints to data object
US20140141753A1 (en) * 2008-10-22 2014-05-22 Centurylink Intellectual Property Llc System and method for managing messages
US8744979B2 (en) 2010-12-06 2014-06-03 Microsoft Corporation Electronic communications triage using recipient's historical behavioral and feedback
US20150074202A1 (en) * 2013-09-10 2015-03-12 Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. Processing action items from messages
US20150113269A1 (en) * 2000-09-14 2015-04-23 Kirsten Aldrich Highly accurate security and filtering software
US9046983B2 (en) 2009-05-12 2015-06-02 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Hierarchically-organized control galleries
US20150160797A1 (en) * 2013-12-06 2015-06-11 Vivint, Inc. Systems and methods for rules-based automations and notifications
US9098473B2 (en) 2007-06-29 2015-08-04 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Accessing an out-space user interface for a document editor program
US9098837B2 (en) 2003-06-26 2015-08-04 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Side-by-side shared calendars
US20150281156A1 (en) * 2014-03-27 2015-10-01 Dropbox, Inc. Dynamic filter generation for message management systems
US9223477B2 (en) 2004-08-16 2015-12-29 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Command user interface for displaying selectable software functionality controls
CN105320882A (en) * 2014-07-28 2016-02-10 腾讯科技(深圳)有限公司 Method and device for controlling permission of application programs
US9338114B2 (en) 2008-06-24 2016-05-10 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Automatic conversation techniques
EP3021277A1 (en) * 2014-11-14 2016-05-18 Ims Health Incorporated Health care event matching
US20160291821A1 (en) * 2015-04-06 2016-10-06 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Generating and displaying graphical representations of processes
US9513781B2 (en) 2005-09-12 2016-12-06 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Expanded search and find user interface
US9537805B2 (en) 2014-03-27 2017-01-03 Dropbox, Inc. Activation of dynamic filter generation for message management systems through gesture-based input
US9542667B2 (en) 2005-09-09 2017-01-10 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Navigating messages within a thread
US9589254B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2017-03-07 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Using e-mail message characteristics for prioritization
US9619116B2 (en) 2007-06-29 2017-04-11 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Communication between a document editor in-space user interface and a document editor out-space user interface
US9645698B2 (en) 2004-08-16 2017-05-09 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc User interface for displaying a gallery of formatting options applicable to a selected object
US9665850B2 (en) 2008-06-20 2017-05-30 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Synchronized conversation-centric message list and message reading pane
US9690448B2 (en) 2004-08-16 2017-06-27 Microsoft Corporation User interface for displaying selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object
US9727989B2 (en) 2006-06-01 2017-08-08 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Modifying and formatting a chart using pictorially provided chart elements
GB2549172A (en) * 2016-02-12 2017-10-11 Fisher Rosemount Systems Inc Rule builder in a process control network
US9864489B2 (en) 2004-08-16 2018-01-09 Microsoft Corporation Command user interface for displaying multiple sections of software functionality controls
US20180115662A1 (en) * 2016-10-21 2018-04-26 Xerox Corporation Human readable sentences used to represent complex color changes in a print driver
US10031489B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2018-07-24 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for seamless state transfer between user interface devices in a mobile control room
US10037303B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2018-07-31 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Collecting and delivering data to a big data machine in a process control system
US20180341458A1 (en) * 2012-09-20 2018-11-29 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Context aware service provision method and apparatus of user device
US10168691B2 (en) 2014-10-06 2019-01-01 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Data pipeline for process control system analytics
US10261663B2 (en) * 2015-09-17 2019-04-16 Workiva Inc. Mandatory comment on action or modification
US10282676B2 (en) 2014-10-06 2019-05-07 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Automatic signal processing-based learning in a process plant
US10296668B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-05-21 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Data modeling studio
US10386827B2 (en) 2013-03-04 2019-08-20 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Distributed industrial performance monitoring and analytics platform
US20190265946A1 (en) * 2012-09-20 2019-08-29 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Context aware service provision method and apparatus of user device
US10445114B2 (en) 2008-03-31 2019-10-15 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Associating command surfaces with multiple active components
US10454865B2 (en) * 2014-12-19 2019-10-22 International Business Machines Corporation Social network activity modes
US20190327200A1 (en) * 2018-04-20 2019-10-24 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Customized controls for handling communication content
US10482429B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2019-11-19 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Automatic grouping of electronic mail
US10521073B2 (en) 2007-06-29 2019-12-31 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Exposing non-authoring features through document status information in an out-space user interface
US10649424B2 (en) 2013-03-04 2020-05-12 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Distributed industrial performance monitoring and analytics
US10649449B2 (en) 2013-03-04 2020-05-12 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Distributed industrial performance monitoring and analytics
US10656627B2 (en) 2014-01-31 2020-05-19 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Managing big data in process control systems
US10678225B2 (en) 2013-03-04 2020-06-09 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Data analytic services for distributed industrial performance monitoring
US10808506B2 (en) 2013-07-25 2020-10-20 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Sand control system and methodology
US10866952B2 (en) 2013-03-04 2020-12-15 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Source-independent queries in distributed industrial system
US10909137B2 (en) 2014-10-06 2021-02-02 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Streaming data for analytics in process control systems
US11143002B2 (en) 2017-02-02 2021-10-12 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Downhole tool for gravel packing a wellbore
US11163286B1 (en) * 2011-03-04 2021-11-02 Alarm.Com Incorporated Monitoring system control technology
US20210374575A1 (en) * 2020-06-01 2021-12-02 Bank Of America Corporation Performing Enhanced Exception Processing Using Cognitive Automation Tools
US11385608B2 (en) 2013-03-04 2022-07-12 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Big data in process control systems
US11475109B2 (en) 2009-09-01 2022-10-18 James J. Nicholas, III System and method for cursor-based application management
US11657308B2 (en) * 2018-07-02 2023-05-23 Sap Se Rule scenario framework for defining rules for operating on data objects
US11849004B2 (en) 2014-03-27 2023-12-19 Dropbox, Inc. Activation of dynamic filter generation for message management systems through gesture-based input
WO2023249728A1 (en) * 2022-06-24 2023-12-28 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Natural language understanding for creating automation rules for processing communications

Families Citing this family (209)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6917962B1 (en) 1997-10-22 2005-07-12 Brokercom Inc. Web-based groupware system
US6385627B1 (en) * 1997-11-24 2002-05-07 International Business Machines Corporation Method, apparatus and computer program product for providing document user role indication
US6216121B1 (en) * 1997-12-29 2001-04-10 International Business Machines Corporation Web page generation with subtemplates displaying information from an electronic post office system
US6658453B1 (en) * 1998-05-28 2003-12-02 America Online, Incorporated Server agent system
US6542880B2 (en) * 1998-12-22 2003-04-01 Indeliq, Inc. System, method and article of manufacture for a goal based system utilizing a table based architecture
US6782374B2 (en) * 1998-12-22 2004-08-24 Accenture Global Services Gmbh System, method and article of manufacturing for a runtime program analysis tool for a simulation engine
US6393423B1 (en) 1999-04-08 2002-05-21 James Francis Goedken Apparatus and methods for electronic information exchange
US7366757B1 (en) * 1999-06-11 2008-04-29 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Communication apparatus, communication method, communication system, and storage medium
US6466975B1 (en) * 1999-08-23 2002-10-15 Digital Connexxions Corp. Systems and methods for virtual population mutual relationship management using electronic computer driven networks
US6628306B1 (en) * 1999-11-24 2003-09-30 Xerox Corporation E-mail applications option to cc: secondary recipients without attachments
US6553425B1 (en) * 1999-12-15 2003-04-22 Microsoft Corporation System and method for breadth first asynchronous expansion of distribution lists with throttling
GB0000735D0 (en) 2000-01-13 2000-03-08 Eyretel Ltd System and method for analysing communication streams
US7574000B2 (en) 2000-01-13 2009-08-11 Verint Americas Inc. System and method for analysing communications streams
US6874125B1 (en) * 2000-05-03 2005-03-29 Microsoft Corporation Method for providing feedback on windows, messages and dialog boxes
US7007066B1 (en) * 2000-05-04 2006-02-28 Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corp. Method and apparatus for configuring electronic mail according to a user-selected type
US7016937B1 (en) 2000-05-04 2006-03-21 Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation Method and apparatus for generating reminders to transmit electronic mail attachments by parsing e-mail message text
US7752275B2 (en) * 2000-05-04 2010-07-06 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Method and apparatus for configuring electronic mail for delivery of electronic services
US7430582B1 (en) * 2000-05-11 2008-09-30 International Business Machines Corporation Method article of manufacture and apparatus for assisting the response to an electronic mail message
AU2001267199B2 (en) * 2000-06-09 2008-04-17 Open Text Sa Ulc Web-based groupware system
EP1172722A3 (en) * 2000-07-12 2003-08-06 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Display device
JP2002049562A (en) * 2000-08-03 2002-02-15 Nec Access Technica Ltd Electronic mail service system
US7266764B1 (en) * 2000-08-16 2007-09-04 Sparta Systems, Inc. Graphical user interface for automated process control
US7076727B1 (en) 2000-08-16 2006-07-11 Sparta Systems, Inc. Configuring activities to perform operations on user-defined fields
US7216132B1 (en) 2000-08-16 2007-05-08 Sparta Systems, Inc. System and method for automated process control
US6934696B1 (en) * 2000-09-15 2005-08-23 Bently Nevada, Llc Custom rule system and method for expert systems
US7171487B2 (en) * 2000-09-22 2007-01-30 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for application specific packet forwarding
US7325190B1 (en) 2000-10-02 2008-01-29 Boehmer Tiffany D Interface system and method of building rules and constraints for a resource scheduling system
US6868418B1 (en) * 2000-10-04 2005-03-15 Microsoft Corporation Methods and systems for performing reliable asynchronous notification of high-level document operations
US6725228B1 (en) * 2000-10-31 2004-04-20 David Morley Clark System for managing and organizing stored electronic messages
US6907578B2 (en) * 2000-12-21 2005-06-14 Ignite Technologies, Inc. User interface for receiving information via a transmission medium
GB0103381D0 (en) * 2001-02-12 2001-03-28 Eyretel Ltd Packet data recording method and system
US7047285B2 (en) * 2001-02-16 2006-05-16 Microsoft Corporation System and method for providing a unified messaging scheme in a mobile device
US7191449B2 (en) * 2001-02-16 2007-03-13 Microsoft Corporation System and method for providing componentized transports and forms
US20020133556A1 (en) * 2001-03-16 2002-09-19 Rajko Milovanovic Method of E-mail
EP1246106A3 (en) * 2001-03-19 2005-04-13 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method for automated management of received messages
CA2444437A1 (en) * 2001-03-29 2002-10-10 Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A. Internet-based patent and trademark application management system
US8015042B2 (en) * 2001-04-02 2011-09-06 Verint Americas Inc. Methods for long-range contact center staff planning utilizing discrete event simulation
US6952732B2 (en) 2001-04-30 2005-10-04 Blue Pumpkin Software, Inc. Method and apparatus for multi-contact scheduling
US7155399B2 (en) 2001-04-03 2006-12-26 Witness Systems, Inc. System and method for complex schedule generation
US6959405B2 (en) * 2001-04-18 2005-10-25 Blue Pumpkin Software, Inc. Method and system for concurrent error identification in resource scheduling
WO2002086744A1 (en) * 2001-04-23 2002-10-31 Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A. Methods, systems and emails to link emails to matters and organizations
US7653631B1 (en) 2001-05-10 2010-01-26 Foundationip, Llc Method for synchronizing information in multiple case management systems
US8156185B1 (en) 2001-05-17 2012-04-10 Ibm Corporation Method and system for monitoring the status of an online transaction
US7231423B1 (en) 2001-05-23 2007-06-12 Jens Horstmann Interactive wireless device communication system for meetings and conferences
US7216114B2 (en) * 2001-08-09 2007-05-08 International Business Machines Corporation Transfer of mail folders between e-mail users
US20040205451A1 (en) * 2001-08-13 2004-10-14 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for identifying and distinguishing words contained within an electronic message in order to convey significance
CA2357160A1 (en) * 2001-09-10 2003-03-10 Ibm Canada Limited-Ibm Canada Limitee Wizard user interface providing interim system product generation and reversion during wizard traversal
US20030069892A1 (en) * 2001-10-10 2003-04-10 International Business Machines Corporation Relational view of electronic objects
US7305402B2 (en) * 2001-10-10 2007-12-04 International Business Machines Corporation Adaptive indexing technique for use with electronic objects
AU2003207946A1 (en) * 2002-01-07 2003-07-24 Flash Networks Ltd. A system and a method for accelerating communication between client and an email server
US7406455B1 (en) * 2002-01-17 2008-07-29 International Business Machines Corporation Automatic recognition and flagging of anomalous items within sets of automatically classified items
US7219138B2 (en) * 2002-01-31 2007-05-15 Witness Systems, Inc. Method, apparatus, and system for capturing data exchanged between a server and a user
US20030145140A1 (en) * 2002-01-31 2003-07-31 Christopher Straut Method, apparatus, and system for processing data captured during exchanges between a server and a user
US7882212B1 (en) 2002-01-28 2011-02-01 Verint Systems Inc. Methods and devices for archiving recorded interactions and retrieving stored recorded interactions
US20030142122A1 (en) * 2002-01-31 2003-07-31 Christopher Straut Method, apparatus, and system for replaying data selected from among data captured during exchanges between a server and a user
US7149788B1 (en) 2002-01-28 2006-12-12 Witness Systems, Inc. Method and system for providing access to captured multimedia data from a multimedia player
US7424715B1 (en) 2002-01-28 2008-09-09 Verint Americas Inc. Method and system for presenting events associated with recorded data exchanged between a server and a user
US9008300B2 (en) * 2002-01-28 2015-04-14 Verint Americas Inc Complex recording trigger
JP4082059B2 (en) * 2002-03-29 2008-04-30 ソニー株式会社 Information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program
US7415605B2 (en) * 2002-05-21 2008-08-19 Bio-Key International, Inc. Biometric identification network security
AU2003260743B2 (en) * 2002-08-21 2008-09-18 Intellprop Limited Telecommunications services apparatus and methods
GB0219493D0 (en) 2002-08-21 2002-10-02 Eyretel Plc Method and system for communications monitoring
US7646927B2 (en) * 2002-09-19 2010-01-12 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Image processing and display scheme for rendering an image at high speed
US7383303B1 (en) * 2002-09-30 2008-06-03 Danger, Inc. System and method for integrating personal information management and messaging applications
US20040199400A1 (en) * 2002-12-17 2004-10-07 Lundberg Steven W. Internet-based patent and trademark application management system
US7684550B2 (en) * 2003-05-20 2010-03-23 Oc Concepts, Inc. Customer information system
US20040267887A1 (en) * 2003-06-30 2004-12-30 Berger Kelly D. System and method for dynamically managing presence and contact information
US7117445B2 (en) 2003-06-30 2006-10-03 Danger, Inc. Multi-mode communication apparatus and interface for contacting a user
US7457842B2 (en) * 2003-12-10 2008-11-25 International Business Machines Corporation Method, system, and computer program product for alerting an email user prior to the subsequent distribution of a received blind carbon-copied email message
US7454716B2 (en) * 2003-12-22 2008-11-18 Microsoft Corporation Clustering messages
US7483869B2 (en) * 2004-04-14 2009-01-27 Sap Aktiengesellschaft Rule templates
US7756929B1 (en) * 2004-05-18 2010-07-13 Microsoft Corporation System and method for processing e-mail
JP4587164B2 (en) * 2004-07-28 2010-11-24 キヤノン株式会社 Printing system, printing control method, and program
US7702730B2 (en) 2004-09-03 2010-04-20 Open Text Corporation Systems and methods for collaboration
KR100581084B1 (en) * 2004-11-10 2006-05-22 한국전자통신연구원 Apparatus and method for classifying e-mail using decision tree
US20060190449A1 (en) * 2005-02-18 2006-08-24 Lundberg Steven W System and method for prior art cross citation
US20060190541A1 (en) * 2005-02-18 2006-08-24 Lundberg Steven W System and method for public and private messages in an information management system
US20060190495A1 (en) * 2005-02-18 2006-08-24 Lundberg Steven W System and method for purging messages in a legal information system
US20060190471A1 (en) * 2005-02-18 2006-08-24 Lundberg Steven W Auto-filing of watch results in IP management system
US20060206345A1 (en) * 2005-02-18 2006-09-14 Lundberg Steven W System and method for obtaining and disseminating secured on-line data
US20060212402A1 (en) * 2005-03-21 2006-09-21 Lundberg Steven W System and method for export control of technical documents
US20060230113A1 (en) * 2005-03-21 2006-10-12 Lundberg Steven W System and method for billing in a professional services information management system
US20060212788A1 (en) * 2005-03-21 2006-09-21 Lundberg Steven W Systems and methods for activity management using independent docket items
US20060212471A1 (en) * 2005-03-21 2006-09-21 Lundberg Steven W System and method for intellectual property information management using configurable activities
US7853572B2 (en) * 2005-03-21 2010-12-14 Foundationip, Llc Bulk download of documents from a system for managing documents
US20060212302A1 (en) * 2005-03-21 2006-09-21 Lundberg Steven W System and method for a user interface in an IP management system
US20060212480A1 (en) * 2005-03-21 2006-09-21 Lundberg Steven W System and method for matter clusters in an IP management system
US20060229853A1 (en) * 2005-04-07 2006-10-12 Business Objects, S.A. Apparatus and method for data modeling business logic
US20060230027A1 (en) * 2005-04-07 2006-10-12 Kellet Nicholas G Apparatus and method for utilizing sentence component metadata to create database queries
US20060230028A1 (en) * 2005-04-07 2006-10-12 Business Objects, S.A. Apparatus and method for constructing complex database query statements based on business analysis comparators
US20060229866A1 (en) * 2005-04-07 2006-10-12 Business Objects, S.A. Apparatus and method for deterministically constructing a text question for application to a data source
FR2886750B1 (en) * 2005-06-06 2007-09-07 Boozter Technologies Sarl FORMING DATA RECORDING AND METHODS USING IT.
US20070112881A1 (en) * 2005-11-15 2007-05-17 International Business Machines Corporation Meeting invitation and group distribution list synchronization
US7853006B1 (en) 2006-02-22 2010-12-14 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for scheduling call center agents using quality data and correlation-based discovery
US20070206767A1 (en) * 2006-02-22 2007-09-06 Witness Systems, Inc. System and method for integrated display of recorded interactions and call agent data
US8670552B2 (en) * 2006-02-22 2014-03-11 Verint Systems, Inc. System and method for integrated display of multiple types of call agent data
US8160233B2 (en) * 2006-02-22 2012-04-17 Verint Americas Inc. System and method for detecting and displaying business transactions
US8117064B2 (en) * 2006-02-22 2012-02-14 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for workforce optimization and analytics
US7864946B1 (en) 2006-02-22 2011-01-04 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for scheduling call center agents using quality data and correlation-based discovery
US8112306B2 (en) * 2006-02-22 2012-02-07 Verint Americas, Inc. System and method for facilitating triggers and workflows in workforce optimization
US8112298B2 (en) * 2006-02-22 2012-02-07 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for workforce optimization
US8108237B2 (en) * 2006-02-22 2012-01-31 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems for integrating contact center monitoring, training and scheduling
US7734783B1 (en) 2006-03-21 2010-06-08 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for determining allocations for distributed multi-site contact centers
US8126134B1 (en) 2006-03-30 2012-02-28 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for scheduling of outbound agents
US8000465B2 (en) * 2006-03-31 2011-08-16 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for endpoint recording using gateways
US8130938B2 (en) * 2006-03-31 2012-03-06 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for endpoint recording using recorders
US20070237525A1 (en) * 2006-03-31 2007-10-11 Witness Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for modular capturing various communication signals
US8442033B2 (en) * 2006-03-31 2013-05-14 Verint Americas, Inc. Distributed voice over internet protocol recording
US7672746B1 (en) 2006-03-31 2010-03-02 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for automatic scheduling of a workforce
US7822018B2 (en) * 2006-03-31 2010-10-26 Verint Americas Inc. Duplicate media stream
US7995612B2 (en) * 2006-03-31 2011-08-09 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for capturing communication signals [32-bit or 128-bit addresses]
US8254262B1 (en) 2006-03-31 2012-08-28 Verint Americas, Inc. Passive recording and load balancing
US7792278B2 (en) 2006-03-31 2010-09-07 Verint Americas Inc. Integration of contact center surveys
US8204056B2 (en) 2006-03-31 2012-06-19 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for endpoint recording using a media application server
US8594313B2 (en) 2006-03-31 2013-11-26 Verint Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for endpoint recording using phones
US7701972B1 (en) * 2006-03-31 2010-04-20 Verint Americas Inc. Internet protocol analyzing
US7826608B1 (en) 2006-03-31 2010-11-02 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for calculating workforce staffing statistics
US7774854B1 (en) 2006-03-31 2010-08-10 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for protecting information
US20080008296A1 (en) * 2006-03-31 2008-01-10 Vernit Americas Inc. Data Capture in a Distributed Network
US7680264B2 (en) * 2006-03-31 2010-03-16 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for endpoint recording using a conference bridge
US7633930B2 (en) 2006-03-31 2009-12-15 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for capturing multimedia communication signals
US7852994B1 (en) 2006-03-31 2010-12-14 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for recording audio
US8155275B1 (en) 2006-04-03 2012-04-10 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for managing alarms from recorders
US8331549B2 (en) * 2006-05-01 2012-12-11 Verint Americas Inc. System and method for integrated workforce and quality management
US8396732B1 (en) 2006-05-08 2013-03-12 Verint Americas Inc. System and method for integrated workforce and analytics
US20070282807A1 (en) * 2006-05-10 2007-12-06 John Ringelman Systems and methods for contact center analysis
US7817795B2 (en) * 2006-05-10 2010-10-19 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for data synchronization in a customer center
WO2007147080A1 (en) * 2006-06-16 2007-12-21 Almondnet, Inc. Media properties selection method and system based on expected profit from profile-based ad delivery
US20070297578A1 (en) * 2006-06-27 2007-12-27 Witness Systems, Inc. Hybrid recording of communications
US7660407B2 (en) 2006-06-27 2010-02-09 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for scheduling contact center agents
US7660406B2 (en) * 2006-06-27 2010-02-09 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for integrating outsourcers
US7660307B2 (en) * 2006-06-29 2010-02-09 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for providing recording as a network service
US7903568B2 (en) * 2006-06-29 2011-03-08 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for providing recording as a network service
US7966397B2 (en) * 2006-06-30 2011-06-21 Verint Americas Inc. Distributive data capture
US8131578B2 (en) * 2006-06-30 2012-03-06 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for automatic scheduling of a workforce
US7848524B2 (en) * 2006-06-30 2010-12-07 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for a secure recording environment
US20080004945A1 (en) * 2006-06-30 2008-01-03 Joe Watson Automated scoring of interactions
US7953621B2 (en) 2006-06-30 2011-05-31 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for displaying agent activity exceptions
US20080052535A1 (en) * 2006-06-30 2008-02-28 Witness Systems, Inc. Systems and Methods for Recording Encrypted Interactions
US7881471B2 (en) * 2006-06-30 2011-02-01 Verint Systems Inc. Systems and methods for recording an encrypted interaction
US7853800B2 (en) 2006-06-30 2010-12-14 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for a secure recording environment
US7769176B2 (en) 2006-06-30 2010-08-03 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for a secure recording environment
US20080059477A1 (en) * 2006-08-30 2008-03-06 Embarq Holdings Company Llc Method and system for tracking service orders
US8005196B1 (en) * 2006-08-31 2011-08-23 Avaya Inc. Systems and methods for multi-tiered priority messaging
US7930314B2 (en) * 2006-09-28 2011-04-19 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for storing and searching data in a customer center environment
US7953750B1 (en) * 2006-09-28 2011-05-31 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for storing and searching data in a customer center environment
US8068602B1 (en) 2006-09-29 2011-11-29 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for recording using virtual machines
US8005676B2 (en) * 2006-09-29 2011-08-23 Verint Americas, Inc. Speech analysis using statistical learning
US7991613B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2011-08-02 Verint Americas Inc. Analyzing audio components and generating text with integrated additional session information
US7920482B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2011-04-05 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for monitoring information corresponding to communication sessions
US7752043B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2010-07-06 Verint Americas Inc. Multi-pass speech analytics
US8199886B2 (en) * 2006-09-29 2012-06-12 Verint Americas, Inc. Call control recording
US20080082387A1 (en) * 2006-09-29 2008-04-03 Swati Tewari Systems and methods or partial shift swapping
US7885813B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2011-02-08 Verint Systems Inc. Systems and methods for analyzing communication sessions
US8645179B2 (en) * 2006-09-29 2014-02-04 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods of partial shift swapping
US7899176B1 (en) 2006-09-29 2011-03-01 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for discovering customer center information
US8837697B2 (en) * 2006-09-29 2014-09-16 Verint Americas Inc. Call control presence and recording
US20080080685A1 (en) * 2006-09-29 2008-04-03 Witness Systems, Inc. Systems and Methods for Recording in a Contact Center Environment
US7570755B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2009-08-04 Verint Americas Inc. Routine communication sessions for recording
US7873156B1 (en) 2006-09-29 2011-01-18 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for analyzing contact center interactions
US7613290B2 (en) * 2006-09-29 2009-11-03 Verint Americas Inc. Recording using proxy servers
US7965828B2 (en) * 2006-09-29 2011-06-21 Verint Americas Inc. Call control presence
US7899178B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2011-03-01 Verint Americas Inc. Recording invocation of communication sessions
US7881216B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2011-02-01 Verint Systems Inc. Systems and methods for analyzing communication sessions using fragments
US8280011B2 (en) * 2006-12-08 2012-10-02 Verint Americas, Inc. Recording in a distributed environment
US8130926B2 (en) * 2006-12-08 2012-03-06 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for recording data
US8130925B2 (en) * 2006-12-08 2012-03-06 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for recording
US20080137814A1 (en) * 2006-12-07 2008-06-12 Jamie Richard Williams Systems and Methods for Replaying Recorded Data
US20080244686A1 (en) * 2007-03-27 2008-10-02 Witness Systems, Inc. Systems and Methods for Enhancing Security of Files
US8743730B2 (en) * 2007-03-30 2014-06-03 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for recording resource association for a communications environment
US9106737B2 (en) * 2007-03-30 2015-08-11 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for recording resource association for recording
US8170184B2 (en) 2007-03-30 2012-05-01 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for recording resource association in a recording environment
US8437465B1 (en) 2007-03-30 2013-05-07 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for capturing communications data
US20080300955A1 (en) * 2007-05-30 2008-12-04 Edward Hamilton System and Method for Multi-Week Scheduling
US8315901B2 (en) * 2007-05-30 2012-11-20 Verint Systems Inc. Systems and methods of automatically scheduling a workforce
US20080300963A1 (en) * 2007-05-30 2008-12-04 Krithika Seetharaman System and Method for Long Term Forecasting
US8082306B2 (en) * 2007-07-25 2011-12-20 International Business Machines Corporation Enterprise e-mail blocking and filtering system based on user input
US20090113002A1 (en) * 2007-10-30 2009-04-30 At&T Bls Intellectual Property, Inc. Electronic Message Attachment Options
US9325528B2 (en) 2008-03-20 2016-04-26 Iconix, Inc. System and method for securely performing multiple stage email processing with embedded codes
US8401155B1 (en) 2008-05-23 2013-03-19 Verint Americas, Inc. Systems and methods for secure recording in a customer center environment
US8838701B2 (en) * 2008-06-27 2014-09-16 International Business Machines Corporation Automatic categorization of email in a mail system
US20100088382A1 (en) * 2008-08-27 2010-04-08 Lee G Roger Document manager integration
US9055414B2 (en) * 2009-02-20 2015-06-09 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Text messaging pipeline configuration
US20100251118A1 (en) * 2009-03-26 2010-09-30 Peterson Michael L Help utility with expanded content display
US8719016B1 (en) 2009-04-07 2014-05-06 Verint Americas Inc. Speech analytics system and system and method for determining structured speech
IL199115A (en) * 2009-06-03 2013-06-27 Verint Systems Ltd Systems and methods for efficient keyword spotting in communication traffic
US8364770B2 (en) * 2009-06-08 2013-01-29 Greenfly America, Inc. Heterogeneous network delivery of electronic messages in accordance with privacy and personalization criteria
US8620710B2 (en) * 2009-07-02 2013-12-31 International Business Machines Corporation Managing calendar events while preparing for time out-of-office
US10115065B1 (en) 2009-10-30 2018-10-30 Verint Americas Inc. Systems and methods for automatic scheduling of a workforce
US8166121B2 (en) * 2009-12-31 2012-04-24 International Business Machines Corporation Situation based presence notification leveraging
JP5952196B2 (en) * 2010-02-03 2016-07-13 アルコード コーポレーション Electronic message system and method
US9904435B2 (en) 2012-01-06 2018-02-27 Box, Inc. System and method for actionable event generation for task delegation and management via a discussion forum in a web-based collaboration environment
US9672493B2 (en) * 2012-01-19 2017-06-06 International Business Machines Corporation Systems and methods for detecting and managing recurring electronic communications
US8886734B2 (en) 2012-02-03 2014-11-11 Apple Inc. Email mailbox management with sender-specific message lists
CN103458008B (en) * 2013-08-18 2018-09-18 苏州量跃信息科技有限公司 The method and system of storage are downloaded to mail data
US10509527B2 (en) * 2013-09-13 2019-12-17 Box, Inc. Systems and methods for configuring event-based automation in cloud-based collaboration platforms
US9535909B2 (en) 2013-09-13 2017-01-03 Box, Inc. Configurable event-based automation architecture for cloud-based collaboration platforms
US8949283B1 (en) 2013-12-23 2015-02-03 Google Inc. Systems and methods for clustering electronic messages
US9015192B1 (en) 2013-12-30 2015-04-21 Google Inc. Systems and methods for improved processing of personalized message queries
US9767189B2 (en) 2013-12-30 2017-09-19 Google Inc. Custom electronic message presentation based on electronic message category
US9542668B2 (en) 2013-12-30 2017-01-10 Google Inc. Systems and methods for clustering electronic messages
US9124546B2 (en) 2013-12-31 2015-09-01 Google Inc. Systems and methods for throttling display of electronic messages
US9152307B2 (en) 2013-12-31 2015-10-06 Google Inc. Systems and methods for simultaneously displaying clustered, in-line electronic messages in one display
US9306893B2 (en) 2013-12-31 2016-04-05 Google Inc. Systems and methods for progressive message flow
US10033679B2 (en) 2013-12-31 2018-07-24 Google Llc Systems and methods for displaying unseen labels in a clustering in-box environment
US10038731B2 (en) 2014-08-29 2018-07-31 Box, Inc. Managing flow-based interactions with cloud-based shared content
US9894119B2 (en) 2014-08-29 2018-02-13 Box, Inc. Configurable metadata-based automation and content classification architecture for cloud-based collaboration platforms
US10454872B2 (en) * 2015-06-22 2019-10-22 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Group email management
FR3090927A1 (en) * 2018-12-21 2020-06-26 Orange Method for processing ephemeral messages in electronic messaging and corresponding processing system

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5283856A (en) * 1991-10-04 1994-02-01 Beyond, Inc. Event-driven rule-based messaging system
US5627764A (en) * 1991-10-04 1997-05-06 Banyan Systems, Inc. Automatic electronic messaging system with feedback and work flow administration

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5283856A (en) * 1991-10-04 1994-02-01 Beyond, Inc. Event-driven rule-based messaging system
US5627764A (en) * 1991-10-04 1997-05-06 Banyan Systems, Inc. Automatic electronic messaging system with feedback and work flow administration

Non-Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
"Managing the mail-strom," Infoworld, pp. 142-143, 146-148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164-165 (Nov. 14, 1994).
Lai et al., "Object Lens: A `Spreadsheet` for Cooperative Work," Paper presented at Management in the 1990's, Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sep., 1988.
Lai et al., Object Lens: A Spreadsheet for Cooperative Work, Paper presented at Management in the 1990 s, Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sep., 1988. *
Levin et al., "Intelligent Tools for Electronic Networks: A Message Assistant," OCLC Micro, vol. 6, No. 5, pp. 29-31 (Oct. 1990).
Levin et al., Intelligent Tools for Electronic Networks: A Message Assistant, OCLC Micro , vol. 6, No. 5, pp. 29 31 (Oct. 1990). *
Lotus cc:Mail Release 2 E mail for Windows User s Guide, Chapter 9, pp. 161 180, 1991 1993. *
Lotus cc:Mail Release 2 E-mail for Windows User's Guide, Chapter 9, pp. 161-180, ©1991-1993.
Managing the mail strom, Infoworld , pp. 142 143, 146 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164 165 (Nov. 14, 1994). *
Window NT, Version 4.0, Microsoft Echange Help File, pp. 1 15, 1996. *
Window NT, Version 4.0, Microsoft Echange Help File, pp. 1-15, 1996.

Cited By (467)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6092067A (en) * 1996-05-30 2000-07-18 Microsoft Corporation Desktop information manager for recording and viewing important events data structure
US7313594B2 (en) * 1996-09-30 2007-12-25 Fujitsu Limited Chat system, terminal device therefor, display method of chat system, and recording medium
US20020073154A1 (en) * 1996-09-30 2002-06-13 Fujitsu Limited Chat system, terminal device therefor, display method of chat system, and recording medium
US6334142B1 (en) * 1997-04-15 2001-12-25 British Telecommunications Public Limited Company Method for automatic and periodic requests for messages to an e-mail server from the client
US6167523A (en) * 1997-05-05 2000-12-26 Intel Corporation Method and apparatus for forms data validation and processing control
US6327610B2 (en) * 1997-06-27 2001-12-04 Nec Corporation System for broadcasting electronic mails that separately stores and sends a portion of electronic mails with an access code for filtering and retrieving purpose
US6101532A (en) * 1997-06-27 2000-08-08 Hitachi, Ltd. Electronic conference system
US6195794B1 (en) * 1997-08-12 2001-02-27 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for distributing templates in a component system
US6182279B1 (en) 1997-08-12 2001-01-30 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for storing templates in a component system
US6093215A (en) * 1997-08-12 2000-07-25 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for building templates in a component system
US6219054B1 (en) * 1997-08-22 2001-04-17 International Business Machines Corporation Information processing method and apparatus for preparing a GUI on a client by utilizing an electronic mail message or an agent
USRE42702E1 (en) 1997-08-26 2011-09-13 Aol Inc. Method and system for filtering electronic messages
USRE41411E1 (en) 1997-08-26 2010-06-29 Aol Inc. Method and system for filtering electronic messages
US6067084A (en) * 1997-10-29 2000-05-23 International Business Machines Corporation Configuring microphones in an audio interface
US6453338B1 (en) * 1998-02-13 2002-09-17 Fujitsu Limited Electronic mail apparatus and computer readable record medium having electronic mail program recorded thereon
US7185332B1 (en) 1998-03-25 2007-02-27 Symantec Corporation Multi-tiered incremental software updating
US6230186B1 (en) * 1998-04-28 2001-05-08 Rhoda Yaker Private electronic message system
USRE40804E1 (en) 1998-08-06 2009-06-23 Aol Llc Filter-in method for reducing junk e-mail
US7444374B1 (en) 1998-12-10 2008-10-28 Michelle Baker Electronic mail software with modular integrated authoring/reading software components including methods and apparatus for controlling the interactivity between mail authors and recipients
US6546417B1 (en) * 1998-12-10 2003-04-08 Intellinet, Inc. Enhanced electronic mail system including methods and apparatus for identifying mime types and for displaying different icons
US6529942B1 (en) * 1998-12-28 2003-03-04 Gateway, Inc System and method for providing recipient specific formats for electronic mail
US6442546B1 (en) * 1998-12-30 2002-08-27 At&T Corp. Messaging system with application-defined states
WO2000051032A1 (en) * 1999-02-26 2000-08-31 Garfinkle Limited Partnership Ii System, method, and computer program product for generating a user selectable self-destructing e-mail
US7202972B1 (en) * 1999-03-15 2007-04-10 Oce Printing Systems Gmbh Method, computer program product and system for the transmission of computer data to an output device
US6816887B1 (en) 1999-06-24 2004-11-09 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for sending private messages within a single electronic message
US6247045B1 (en) * 1999-06-24 2001-06-12 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for sending private messages within a single electronic message
US9336213B2 (en) 1999-09-29 2016-05-10 Valiyolah Tadayon Active file system
US7444390B2 (en) * 1999-10-20 2008-10-28 Cdimensions, Inc. Method and apparatus for providing a web-based active virtual file system
US20040249902A1 (en) * 1999-10-20 2004-12-09 Vali Tadayon Method and apparatus for providing a web-based active virtual file system
US7359938B1 (en) 1999-12-14 2008-04-15 Nortel Networks Limited System indicating the presence of an individual or group of individuals
US7603411B1 (en) 1999-12-14 2009-10-13 Nortel Networks Limited Presence management system
US6999993B1 (en) * 1999-12-15 2006-02-14 Microsoft Corporation Methods and systems for end-users extensible electronic mail
US20060106942A1 (en) * 1999-12-15 2006-05-18 Microsoft Corporation Methods and systems for end-user extensible electronic mail
US7461129B2 (en) * 1999-12-15 2008-12-02 Microsoft Corporation Methods and systems for end-user extensible electronic mail
US6769067B1 (en) * 1999-12-27 2004-07-27 James W. Soong Method and system for network communication control and security
US7152053B2 (en) 2000-05-09 2006-12-19 Fair Isaac Corporation Approach for re-using business rules
US6965889B2 (en) * 2000-05-09 2005-11-15 Fair Isaac Corporation Approach for generating rules
US20050149573A1 (en) * 2000-05-09 2005-07-07 Serrano-Morales Carlos A. Approach for re-using business rules
US7277875B2 (en) * 2000-05-09 2007-10-02 Fair Isaac Corporation User selectable approach for generating modifiable rules
US20050192916A1 (en) * 2000-05-09 2005-09-01 Serrano-Morales Carlos A. User selectable approach for generating modifiable rules
US20020049715A1 (en) * 2000-05-09 2002-04-25 Serrano-Morales Carlos A. Approach for generating rules
US20010051987A1 (en) * 2000-06-05 2001-12-13 Koji Fukumoto E-mail system and E-mail transmission method of broadcasting
US20010054078A1 (en) * 2000-06-19 2001-12-20 Jan Buckner Electronic database information integration process and a system and method for performing same
US6599268B1 (en) 2000-06-27 2003-07-29 Becton Dickinson And Company Hypodermic syringe with a selectively retractable needle
WO2002001374A1 (en) * 2000-06-27 2002-01-03 Intellinet, Inc. Electronic mail software with modular integrated authoring/reading component
US20020013817A1 (en) * 2000-07-07 2002-01-31 Collins Thomas M. Method and apparatus for distributing of e-mail to multiple recipients
US6981252B1 (en) 2000-07-14 2005-12-27 Symantec Corporation Method and apparatus for automatically uninstalling software on a network
US6847989B1 (en) 2000-08-29 2005-01-25 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for creating mail rules from existing mail
US6842775B1 (en) 2000-08-29 2005-01-11 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for modifying mail rules
US6895438B1 (en) 2000-09-06 2005-05-17 Paul C. Ulrich Telecommunication-based time-management system and method
US8522266B1 (en) * 2000-09-13 2013-08-27 Jlb Ventures Llc System and method for insertion of recorded media into a broadcast
US9998471B2 (en) * 2000-09-14 2018-06-12 Kirsten Aldrich Highly accurate security and filtering software
US20150113269A1 (en) * 2000-09-14 2015-04-23 Kirsten Aldrich Highly accurate security and filtering software
WO2002059713A3 (en) * 2000-11-07 2003-07-10 Aspsecure Corp Methods for trusted messaging
WO2002059713A2 (en) * 2000-11-07 2002-08-01 Aspsecure Corporation Methods for trusted messaging
EP1369801B1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2007-11-07 Orchestria Limited An information management system
US20080301454A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2008-12-04 Peter Bryan Malcolm Information Management System
EP1360623B1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2008-01-02 Orchestria Limited An information management system
EP1360623A2 (en) * 2000-11-08 2003-11-12 Orchestria Limited An information management system
US20080301762A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2008-12-04 Peter Malcolm Information Management System
EP1376435B1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2008-01-02 Orchestria Limited An information management system
US20080301297A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2008-12-04 Peter Bryan Malcolm Information Management System
EP1369800B1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2008-01-02 Orchestria Limited An information management system
EP1378847B1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2008-01-02 Orchestria Limited An Information management system
EP1376436B1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2008-01-09 Orchestria Limited An information management system
EP1365340B1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2008-01-09 Orchestria Limited An information management system
EP1372100B1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2008-01-16 Orchestria Limited An information management system
US7797240B2 (en) 2000-11-08 2010-09-14 Computer Associates Think, Inc. Information management system
US7836482B2 (en) 2000-11-08 2010-11-16 Computer Associates Think, Inc. Information management system
US20040078334A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2004-04-22 Malcolm Peter Bryan Information management system
US7908224B2 (en) 2000-11-08 2011-03-15 Computer Associates Think, Inc. Information management system
US20080300904A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2008-12-04 Peter Malcolm Information Management System
US9225553B2 (en) 2000-11-08 2015-12-29 Ca, Inc. Information management system
US20080172717A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2008-07-17 Peter Malcolm Information Management System
US9203650B2 (en) 2000-11-08 2015-12-01 Ca, Inc. Information management system
US7945519B2 (en) 2000-11-08 2011-05-17 Computer Associates Think, Inc. Information management system
US8219815B2 (en) 2000-11-08 2012-07-10 Ca, Inc. Information management system
US20020087479A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2002-07-04 Peter Malcolm Information management system
US20080301761A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2008-12-04 Peter Bryan Malcolm Information Management System
US7685626B2 (en) 2000-11-08 2010-03-23 Computer Associates Think, Inc. Information management system
US7669227B2 (en) 2000-11-08 2010-02-23 Computer Associates Think, Inc. Information management system
EP1365340A2 (en) * 2000-11-08 2003-11-26 Orchestria Limited An information management system
EP1369802B1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2008-01-16 Orchestria Limited An information management system
US20050216771A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2005-09-29 Orchestria Limited Information management system
US7333956B2 (en) 2000-11-08 2008-02-19 Orchestria Limited Information management system
EP1376435A2 (en) * 2000-11-08 2004-01-02 Orchestria Limited An information management system
US20050204172A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2005-09-15 Orchestria Limited Information management system
US20050203855A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2005-09-15 Orchestria Limited Information management system
US20080162225A1 (en) * 2000-11-08 2008-07-03 Peter Malcolm Information Management System
US8539030B2 (en) 2000-11-22 2013-09-17 Xerox Corporation System and method for managing digests comprising electronic messages
US20080098125A1 (en) * 2000-11-22 2008-04-24 Wang Baldonado Michelle Q System and method for managing digests comprising electronic messages
US20060129978A1 (en) * 2000-12-01 2006-06-15 Corticon Technologies, Inc., A California Corporation Business rules user interface for development of adaptable enterprise applications
EP1337952A4 (en) * 2000-12-01 2006-12-06 Corticon Technologies Inc Business rules user interface for development of adaptable enterprise applications
EP1337952A2 (en) * 2000-12-01 2003-08-27 Corticon Technologies, Inc. Business rules user interface for development of adaptable enterprise applications
US6772143B2 (en) * 2001-01-02 2004-08-03 Sprint Spectrum L.P. Method and system for managing messages
US20020095572A1 (en) * 2001-01-12 2002-07-18 Frank Mitchell R. System and method for providing security profile information to a user of a computer system
US6944272B1 (en) 2001-01-16 2005-09-13 Interactive Intelligence, Inc. Method and system for administering multiple messages over a public switched telephone network
US20020103872A1 (en) * 2001-01-30 2002-08-01 Naoya Watanabe Communication apparatus and control method of the same
US7113976B2 (en) * 2001-01-30 2006-09-26 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Communication apparatus and control method of the same
US7634545B2 (en) 2001-02-26 2009-12-15 Symantec Corporation System and method for controlling distribution of network communications
US7571214B2 (en) 2001-02-26 2009-08-04 Symantec Corporation System and method for controlling distribution of network communications
US7415504B2 (en) 2001-02-26 2008-08-19 Symantec Corporation System and method for controlling distribution of network communications
US20080016174A1 (en) * 2001-02-26 2008-01-17 Symantec Corporation System and method for controlling distribution of network communications
US20020120705A1 (en) * 2001-02-26 2002-08-29 Schiavone Vincent J. System and method for controlling distribution of network communications
US7543036B2 (en) 2001-02-26 2009-06-02 Symantec Corporation System and method for controlling distribution of network communications
US7647411B1 (en) 2001-02-26 2010-01-12 Symantec Corporation System and method for controlling distribution of network communications
US7162474B1 (en) * 2001-05-10 2007-01-09 Nortel Networks Limited Recipient controlled contact directories
US20020169977A1 (en) * 2001-05-11 2002-11-14 Mazen Chmaytelli System, methods, and apparatus for distributed wireless configuration of a portable device
US20030028500A1 (en) * 2001-06-21 2003-02-06 Jameson Kevin Wade Collection knowledge system
US6785664B2 (en) * 2001-06-21 2004-08-31 Kevin Wade Jameson Collection knowledge system
EP1402486A1 (en) * 2001-06-27 2004-03-31 Snapcount Limited Transcation processing
US20030023665A1 (en) * 2001-07-27 2003-01-30 Naoto Matsunami Storage system having a plurality of controllers
US7260656B2 (en) 2001-07-27 2007-08-21 Hitachi, Ltd. Storage system having a plurality of controllers
US7216148B2 (en) * 2001-07-27 2007-05-08 Hitachi, Ltd. Storage system having a plurality of controllers
US7082458B1 (en) 2001-08-01 2006-07-25 Luigi Guadagno Dialog facilitation system for generating contextual order-preserving dialog postings and posting summaries from electronic messages
US20030208544A1 (en) * 2001-10-30 2003-11-06 Oki Data Americas, Inc. Multifunction e-mail server
US20030101065A1 (en) * 2001-11-27 2003-05-29 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for maintaining conversation threads in electronic mail
US20030177190A1 (en) * 2001-11-27 2003-09-18 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for interaction with electronic mail from multiple sources
US7219129B2 (en) 2001-11-28 2007-05-15 Weissman Peter S Mail program for processing multiple email messages
US7181496B1 (en) * 2002-03-29 2007-02-20 Infowave Software Inc. Automatic email forwarding rule creation
US20030204585A1 (en) * 2002-04-25 2003-10-30 Yahoo! Inc. Method for the real-time distribution of streaming data on a network
US20030233410A1 (en) * 2002-06-06 2003-12-18 International Business Machines Corporation Electronic carbon copy dissemination control
US7516182B2 (en) * 2002-06-18 2009-04-07 Aol Llc Practical techniques for reducing unsolicited electronic messages by identifying sender's addresses
US20030233418A1 (en) * 2002-06-18 2003-12-18 Goldman Phillip Y. Practical techniques for reducing unsolicited electronic messages by identifying sender's addresses
US8224915B2 (en) 2002-09-17 2012-07-17 At&T Intellectual Property I, Lp Initiating instant messaging (IM) chat sessions from email messages
US20040078447A1 (en) * 2002-09-17 2004-04-22 Malik Dale W. User profiles for managing email and instant messaging (IM)
US8458274B2 (en) 2002-09-17 2013-06-04 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Initiating instant messaging (IM) chat sessions from email messages
US20040054736A1 (en) * 2002-09-17 2004-03-18 Daniell W. Todd Object architecture for integration of email and instant messaging (IM)
US20040054646A1 (en) * 2002-09-17 2004-03-18 Daniell W. Todd Address book for integrating email and instant messaging (IM)
US20040078448A1 (en) * 2002-09-17 2004-04-22 Malik Dale W. Initiating instant messaging (IM) chat sessions from email messages
US20110202611A1 (en) * 2002-09-17 2011-08-18 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Initiating instant messaging (im) chat sessions from email messages
US20040054737A1 (en) * 2002-09-17 2004-03-18 Daniell W. Todd Tracking email and instant messaging (IM) thread history
US20040186896A1 (en) * 2002-09-17 2004-09-23 Daniell W. Todd Address book for integrating email and instant messaging (IM)
US7707254B2 (en) 2002-09-17 2010-04-27 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Address book for integrating email and instant messaging (IM)
US8037141B2 (en) 2002-09-17 2011-10-11 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Instant messaging (IM) internet chat capability from displayed email messages
US7657598B2 (en) 2002-09-17 2010-02-02 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Address book for integrating email and instant messaging (IM)
US7921160B2 (en) 2002-09-17 2011-04-05 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Initiating instant messaging (IM) chat sessions from email messages
US7933957B2 (en) 2002-09-17 2011-04-26 At&T Intellectual Property Ii, L.P. Tracking email and instant messaging (IM) thread history
US7200636B2 (en) * 2002-11-01 2007-04-03 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Method and apparatus for applying personalized rules to e-mail messages at an e-mail server
US20040088357A1 (en) * 2002-11-01 2004-05-06 Harding Michael A. Method and apparatus for applying personalized rules to e-mail messages at an e-mail server
US20040088359A1 (en) * 2002-11-04 2004-05-06 Nigel Simpson Computer implemented system and method for predictive management of electronic messages
US7469280B2 (en) * 2002-11-04 2008-12-23 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Computer implemented system and method for predictive management of electronic messages
US20040093350A1 (en) * 2002-11-12 2004-05-13 E.Piphany, Inc. Context-based heterogeneous information integration system
US7660820B2 (en) * 2002-11-12 2010-02-09 E.Piphany, Inc. Context-based heterogeneous information integration system
US20040243611A1 (en) * 2002-11-12 2004-12-02 Alexander Jonathan E. Context-based heterogeneous information integration system
US7447699B2 (en) 2002-11-12 2008-11-04 Epiphany, Inc. Context-based heterogeneous information integration system
US20040104939A1 (en) * 2002-11-22 2004-06-03 Enterasys Networks, Inc. Method and apparatus for navigating through a task on a computer
US9632995B2 (en) * 2002-11-22 2017-04-25 Extreme Networks, Inc. Method and apparatus for navigating through a task on a computer
WO2004053747A1 (en) * 2002-12-11 2004-06-24 International Business Machines Corporation Improved handling of messages in an electronic messaging system
US20040114573A1 (en) * 2002-12-16 2004-06-17 Dave Mosquera Contact identifier for message types
US7460651B2 (en) 2002-12-16 2008-12-02 Rockwell Electronic Commerce Corp. Contact identifier for message types
US20040130572A1 (en) * 2003-01-07 2004-07-08 Aravind Bala Active content wizard: execution of tasks and structured content
US7620691B1 (en) 2003-02-10 2009-11-17 Aol Llc Filtering electronic messages while permitting delivery of solicited electronics messages
WO2004086250A1 (en) * 2003-03-27 2004-10-07 Smart Internet Technology Crc Pty Limited E-mail management system and method
US7373519B1 (en) 2003-04-09 2008-05-13 Symantec Corporation Distinguishing legitimate modifications from malicious modifications during executable computer file modification analysis
US9667583B2 (en) 2003-04-18 2017-05-30 Aol Inc. Sorting electronic messages using attributes of the sender address
US20070282960A1 (en) * 2003-04-18 2007-12-06 Aol Llc Sorting Electronic Messages Using Attributes of the Sender Address
US7617286B2 (en) 2003-04-18 2009-11-10 Aol Llc Sorting electronic messages using attributes of the sender address
US8285803B2 (en) 2003-04-18 2012-10-09 Aol Inc. Sorting electronic messages using attributes of the sender address
US20090182830A1 (en) * 2003-04-18 2009-07-16 Aol Llc Sorting electronic messages using attributes of the sender address
US20110185028A1 (en) * 2003-04-18 2011-07-28 Aol Inc. Sorting electronic messages using attributes of the sender address
US9100358B2 (en) 2003-04-18 2015-08-04 Aol Inc. Sorting electronic messages using attributes of the sender address
US7945633B2 (en) 2003-04-18 2011-05-17 Aol Inc. Sorting electronic messages using attributes of the sender address
US8601111B2 (en) 2003-04-18 2013-12-03 Aol Inc. Sorting electronic messages using attributes of the sender address
US9037660B2 (en) 2003-05-09 2015-05-19 Google Inc. Managing electronic messages
US20050055410A1 (en) * 2003-05-09 2005-03-10 Landsman Richard A. Managing electronic messages
US20090307326A1 (en) * 2003-05-09 2009-12-10 Aol Llc Managing electronic messages
US7590695B2 (en) 2003-05-09 2009-09-15 Aol Llc Managing electronic messages
US8073916B2 (en) 2003-05-09 2011-12-06 Aol Inc. Managing electronic messages
US9715678B2 (en) 2003-06-26 2017-07-25 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Side-by-side shared calendars
US9098837B2 (en) 2003-06-26 2015-08-04 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Side-by-side shared calendars
US20080077571A1 (en) * 2003-07-01 2008-03-27 Microsoft Corporation Methods, Systems, and Computer-Readable Mediums for Providing Persisting and Continuously Updating Search Folders
US10482429B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2019-11-19 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Automatic grouping of electronic mail
US20050068980A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-03-31 Boban Mathew System and method for intelligent message and document access over different media channels
US7484213B2 (en) 2003-07-11 2009-01-27 Boban Mathew Agent architecture employed within an integrated message, document and communication system
US20050172033A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-08-04 Boban Mathew Apparatus and method for multi-layer rule application within an integrated messaging platform
US20050060638A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-03-17 Boban Mathew Agent architecture employed within an integrated message, document and communication system
US20050076095A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-04-07 Boban Mathew Virtual contextual file system and method
US20050076109A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-04-07 Boban Mathew Multimedia notification system and method
US20050076110A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-04-07 Boban Mathew Generic inbox system and method
US20050108341A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-05-19 Boban Mathew Apparatus and method for double-blind instant messaging
US20050074113A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-04-07 Boban Mathew Heuristic interactive voice response system
US7627635B1 (en) 2003-07-28 2009-12-01 Aol Llc Managing self-addressed electronic messages
US20060200700A1 (en) * 2003-08-18 2006-09-07 Malcolm Peter B Data storage system
US8099394B2 (en) * 2003-08-18 2012-01-17 Computer Associates Think, Inc. Persistent data storage for data files of application data
US20080168149A1 (en) * 2003-10-14 2008-07-10 At&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc., Formerly Known As Bellsouth Intellectual Property Processing Rules for Digital Messages
US20050080864A1 (en) * 2003-10-14 2005-04-14 Daniell W. Todd Processing rules for digital messages
US7996470B2 (en) 2003-10-14 2011-08-09 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Processing rules for digital messages
US8176130B2 (en) 2003-10-14 2012-05-08 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Processing rules for digital messages
EP1581854A4 (en) * 2003-10-24 2011-01-19 Microsoft Corp Personalized folders
EP1581854A2 (en) * 2003-10-24 2005-10-05 Microsoft Corporation Personalized folders
US20050102249A1 (en) * 2003-11-12 2005-05-12 Bigus Joseph P. Methods and apparatus for customization of rule-based applications
US20050125667A1 (en) * 2003-12-09 2005-06-09 Tim Sullivan Systems and methods for authorizing delivery of incoming messages
US20050131719A1 (en) * 2003-12-16 2005-06-16 Bresnan Mark A. Document consolidator and distributor for efficient message production
US20050138430A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-06-23 Landsman Richard A. Community messaging lists for authorization to deliver electronic messages
US20100198958A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2010-08-05 International Business Machines Corporation Real-time feedback for policies for computing system management
US20050138317A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-06-23 Cannon David M. Real-time feedback for policies for computing system management
US10469471B2 (en) 2003-12-19 2019-11-05 Facebook, Inc. Custom messaging systems
US8281146B2 (en) 2003-12-19 2012-10-02 Facebook, Inc. Messaging systems and methods
US7734750B2 (en) * 2003-12-19 2010-06-08 International Business Machines Corporation Real-time feedback for policies for computing system management
US7882360B2 (en) 2003-12-19 2011-02-01 Aol Inc. Community messaging lists for authorization to deliver electronic messages
US8930509B2 (en) 2003-12-19 2015-01-06 International Business Machines Corporation Real-time feedback for policies for computing system management
US8949943B2 (en) 2003-12-19 2015-02-03 Facebook, Inc. Messaging systems and methods
US8307060B2 (en) 2003-12-19 2012-11-06 International Business Machines Corporation Real-time feedback for policies for computing system management
US20050265318A1 (en) * 2004-01-08 2005-12-01 Nokia Corporation Apparatus, system, and method for rejecting a session establishment request
US20050154793A1 (en) * 2004-01-08 2005-07-14 Hisham Khartabil Apparatus, system, and method for rejecting a session establishment request
US20050193130A1 (en) * 2004-01-22 2005-09-01 Mblx Llc Methods and systems for confirmation of availability of messaging account to user
US7469292B2 (en) 2004-02-11 2008-12-23 Aol Llc Managing electronic messages using contact information
US20050198171A1 (en) * 2004-02-11 2005-09-08 Landsman Richard A. Managing electronic messages using contact information
US20050223060A1 (en) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-06 Hermann Lueckhoff Retrieving information for processing a received electronic message
US8005900B2 (en) 2004-03-31 2011-08-23 Sap Aktiengesellschaft Retrieving information for processing a received electronic message
US7590685B2 (en) 2004-04-07 2009-09-15 Salesforce.Com Inc. Techniques for providing interoperability as a service
US20050228863A1 (en) * 2004-04-07 2005-10-13 Grand Central Communications, Inc. Techniques for providing interoperability as a service
US20050235259A1 (en) * 2004-04-15 2005-10-20 Hermann Lueckhoff Designing a rule for automated computer process
US8051406B2 (en) * 2004-04-30 2011-11-01 Microsoft Corporation Rich end-user data views
EP1625513A4 (en) * 2004-04-30 2012-11-28 Microsoft Corp Rules framework for definition and execution of end-user rules logic
US7631296B2 (en) 2004-04-30 2009-12-08 Microsoft Corporation Rules framework for definition and execution of end-user rules logic
US20050246637A1 (en) * 2004-04-30 2005-11-03 Microsoft Corporation Rich end-user data views
WO2005111850A2 (en) * 2004-04-30 2005-11-24 Microsoft Corporation End-user application customization using rules
US20050246304A1 (en) * 2004-04-30 2005-11-03 Microsoft Corporation End-user application customization using rules
CN101410824B (en) * 2004-04-30 2012-03-21 微软公司 Rule framework used for definition and performance of terminal users rules and logic
WO2005111850A3 (en) * 2004-04-30 2007-12-13 Microsoft Corp End-user application customization using rules
EP1625513A2 (en) * 2004-04-30 2006-02-15 Microsoft Corporation Rules framework for definition and execution of end-user rules logic
JP2007537511A (en) * 2004-04-30 2007-12-20 マイクロソフト コーポレーション End-user application customization using rules
US20050246686A1 (en) * 2004-04-30 2005-11-03 Microsoft Corporation Rules framework for definition and execution of end-user rules logic
US10778611B2 (en) 2004-05-19 2020-09-15 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Techniques for providing connections to services in a network environment
US8725892B2 (en) 2004-05-19 2014-05-13 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Techniques for providing connections to services in a network environment
US11483258B2 (en) 2004-05-19 2022-10-25 Salesforce, Inc. Techniques for providing connections to services in a network environment
US7802007B2 (en) 2004-05-19 2010-09-21 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Techniques for providing connections to services in a network environment
US10178050B2 (en) 2004-05-19 2019-01-08 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Techniques for providing connections to services in a network environment
US20060010242A1 (en) * 2004-05-24 2006-01-12 Whitney David C Decoupling determination of SPAM confidence level from message rule actions
US7818377B2 (en) 2004-05-24 2010-10-19 Microsoft Corporation Extended message rule architecture
US20060031311A1 (en) * 2004-05-24 2006-02-09 Whitney David C Extended message rule architecture
US7827244B2 (en) 2004-05-24 2010-11-02 Microsoft Corporation Storing message rules in global form for transfer between servers
US20060010212A1 (en) * 2004-05-24 2006-01-12 Whitney David C Storing message rules in global form for transfer between servers
US20060031340A1 (en) * 2004-07-12 2006-02-09 Boban Mathew Apparatus and method for advanced attachment filtering within an integrated messaging platform
US7912863B1 (en) 2004-07-30 2011-03-22 Microsoft Corporation Compositional lifting of operations over structural types
US7774376B1 (en) 2004-07-30 2010-08-10 Microsoft Corporation Type-system extensions for object-oriented language based on coercive subtyping with restrictions
US9223477B2 (en) 2004-08-16 2015-12-29 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Command user interface for displaying selectable software functionality controls
US10635266B2 (en) 2004-08-16 2020-04-28 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc User interface for displaying selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object
US10521081B2 (en) 2004-08-16 2019-12-31 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc User interface for displaying a gallery of formatting options
US10437431B2 (en) 2004-08-16 2019-10-08 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Command user interface for displaying selectable software functionality controls
US9645698B2 (en) 2004-08-16 2017-05-09 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc User interface for displaying a gallery of formatting options applicable to a selected object
US9864489B2 (en) 2004-08-16 2018-01-09 Microsoft Corporation Command user interface for displaying multiple sections of software functionality controls
US9690448B2 (en) 2004-08-16 2017-06-27 Microsoft Corporation User interface for displaying selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object
US9690450B2 (en) 2004-08-16 2017-06-27 Microsoft Corporation User interface for displaying selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object
US20060075045A1 (en) * 2004-08-27 2006-04-06 Microsoft Corporation Securely extending data processing pipeline functionality
US20060069713A1 (en) * 2004-08-27 2006-03-30 Min Wei Securely and efficiently extending data processing pipeline functionality
US8037123B2 (en) * 2004-08-27 2011-10-11 Microsoft Corporation Securely and efficiently extending data processing pipeline functionality
US7627636B2 (en) 2004-08-27 2009-12-01 Microsoft Corporation Securely extending data processing pipeline functionality
US7721328B2 (en) 2004-10-01 2010-05-18 Salesforce.Com Inc. Application identity design
US20060074915A1 (en) * 2004-10-01 2006-04-06 Grand Central Communications, Inc. Multiple stakeholders for a single business process
US9800586B2 (en) 2004-10-01 2017-10-24 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Secure identity federation for non-federated systems
US9645712B2 (en) * 2004-10-01 2017-05-09 Grand Central Communications, Inc. Multiple stakeholders for a single business process
US20100192204A1 (en) * 2004-10-01 2010-07-29 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Application Identity Design
US9450946B2 (en) 2004-10-01 2016-09-20 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Secure identity federation for non-federated systems
US11042271B2 (en) * 2004-10-01 2021-06-22 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Multiple stakeholders for a single business process
US10333941B2 (en) 2004-10-01 2019-06-25 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Secure identity federation for non-federated systems
US8108919B2 (en) 2004-10-01 2012-01-31 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Application identity design
US20060168029A1 (en) * 2004-12-17 2006-07-27 International Business Machines Corporation E-mail role templates for classifying e-mail
US7487215B2 (en) * 2004-12-17 2009-02-03 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for distributing a nested electronic communication to a plurality of recipients
US7876891B2 (en) 2004-12-17 2011-01-25 International Business Machines Corporation Electronic communication distribution system
US7493359B2 (en) 2004-12-17 2009-02-17 International Business Machines Corporation E-mail role templates for classifying e-mail
US20090070432A1 (en) * 2004-12-17 2009-03-12 Magee Erich S Electronic communication distribution system
US20060132830A1 (en) * 2004-12-17 2006-06-22 International Business Machines Corporation Electronic communication distribution system
US20090125600A1 (en) * 2004-12-17 2009-05-14 International Business Machines Corporation E-mail role templates for classifying e-mail
US8032553B2 (en) * 2004-12-29 2011-10-04 Sap Ag Email integrated task processor
US20060143613A1 (en) * 2004-12-29 2006-06-29 Sonia Lippe Email integrated task processor
US20090292723A1 (en) * 2005-02-02 2009-11-26 Bruce Jay Levin Method and Apparatus to Implement Themes for a Handheld Device
EP1846840A2 (en) * 2005-02-02 2007-10-24 LightSurf Technologies, Inc. A method and apparatus to implement themes for a handheld device
EP1846840A4 (en) * 2005-02-02 2009-12-30 Verisign Icx Corp A method and apparatus to implement themes for a handheld device
US7613671B2 (en) 2005-02-15 2009-11-03 Fair Isaac Corporation Approach for re-using business rules
US7587668B2 (en) * 2005-02-17 2009-09-08 Microft Corporation Using existing content to generate active content wizard executables for execution of tasks
US20060184888A1 (en) * 2005-02-17 2006-08-17 Microsoft Corporation Using existing content to generate active content wizard executables for execution of tasks
US20060195411A1 (en) * 2005-02-28 2006-08-31 Microsoft Corporation End user data activation
US20060200522A1 (en) * 2005-03-04 2006-09-07 Microsoft Corporation Web services processing using MAPI compliant mail applications
US7600048B2 (en) * 2005-03-04 2009-10-06 Microsoft Corporation Web services processing using MAPI compliant mail applications
US20100138658A1 (en) * 2005-03-15 2010-06-03 Aol Llc Electronic Message System with Federation of Trusted Senders
US20060212520A1 (en) * 2005-03-15 2006-09-21 America Online, Inc., Electronic message system with federation of trusted senders
US8359360B2 (en) 2005-03-15 2013-01-22 Facebook, Inc. Electronic message system with federation of trusted senders
US7650383B2 (en) 2005-03-15 2010-01-19 Aol Llc Electronic message system with federation of trusted senders
US20060242244A1 (en) * 2005-04-04 2006-10-26 Logue Jay D Federated challenge credit system
US8234371B2 (en) 2005-04-04 2012-07-31 Aol Inc. Federated challenge credit system
US7647381B2 (en) 2005-04-04 2010-01-12 Aol Llc Federated challenge credit system
US20100138444A1 (en) * 2005-04-04 2010-06-03 Aol Llc Federated challenge credit system
US8713175B2 (en) 2005-04-04 2014-04-29 Facebook, Inc. Centralized behavioral information system
US20090046344A1 (en) * 2005-05-26 2009-02-19 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Optical scanning apparatus and image-forming apparatus
US20070005546A1 (en) * 2005-06-14 2007-01-04 Lehman Brothers Inc. Attribute engine
US7401061B2 (en) * 2005-06-14 2008-07-15 Lehman Brothers Inc. Attribute engine
US20070028160A1 (en) * 2005-07-29 2007-02-01 Microsoft Corporation Re-use wizard
US9542667B2 (en) 2005-09-09 2017-01-10 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Navigating messages within a thread
US9513781B2 (en) 2005-09-12 2016-12-06 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Expanded search and find user interface
US10248687B2 (en) 2005-09-12 2019-04-02 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Expanded search and find user interface
US20070088793A1 (en) * 2005-10-17 2007-04-19 Landsman Richard A Filter for instant messaging
US20070094365A1 (en) * 2005-10-23 2007-04-26 Bill Nussey Provision of secure rss feeds using a secure rss catcher
US8732250B2 (en) * 2005-10-23 2014-05-20 Silverpop Systems Inc. Provision of secure RSS feeds using a secure RSS catcher
US9892273B2 (en) 2005-10-23 2018-02-13 International Business Machines Corporation Provision of RSS feeds based on classification of content
US20070094329A1 (en) * 2005-10-24 2007-04-26 John Cameron System and method for accelerated dynamic data message generation and transmission
US8005902B2 (en) * 2005-10-24 2011-08-23 Camerontec Ab System and method for accelerated dynamic data message generation and transmission
US20070143412A1 (en) * 2005-12-15 2007-06-21 Xiaoying Qi Providing meeting information from a meeting server to an email server to store in an email database
WO2007068653A1 (en) * 2005-12-15 2007-06-21 International Business Machines Corporation Providing meeting information from a meeting server to an email server to store in an email database
US8171104B2 (en) 2005-12-15 2012-05-01 International Business Machines Corporation Scheduling and searching meetings in a network environment
US20070143399A1 (en) * 2005-12-15 2007-06-21 Xiaoying Qi Scheduling and searching meetings in a network environment
US8433753B2 (en) 2005-12-15 2013-04-30 International Business Machines Corporation Providing meeting information from a meeting server to an email server to store in an email database
US20070162339A1 (en) * 2006-01-10 2007-07-12 Andreas Arning Method and System for Sending and Processing Messages Received Electronically
US20070274468A1 (en) * 2006-05-11 2007-11-29 Lucent Technologies, Inc. Retrieval of voicemail
US9727989B2 (en) 2006-06-01 2017-08-08 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Modifying and formatting a chart using pictorially provided chart elements
US10482637B2 (en) 2006-06-01 2019-11-19 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Modifying and formatting a chart using pictorially provided chart elements
US7770178B2 (en) * 2006-07-31 2010-08-03 Sap Ag Process suspension through process model design
US8572633B2 (en) 2006-07-31 2013-10-29 Sap Ag Exception handling for collaborating process models
US20080127205A1 (en) * 2006-07-31 2008-05-29 Barros Alistair P Exception handling for collaborating process models
US7469406B2 (en) * 2006-07-31 2008-12-23 Sap Ag Process suspension through process model design
US20080127044A1 (en) * 2006-07-31 2008-05-29 Barros Alistair P Process suspension through process model design
US20090089471A1 (en) * 2006-07-31 2009-04-02 Sap Ag Process Suspension Through Process Model Design
US20080162645A1 (en) * 2006-12-29 2008-07-03 Nokia Corporation Method and System for Providing Contact Specific Delivery Reports
WO2008081289A1 (en) * 2006-12-29 2008-07-10 Nokia Corp. Method and system for providing contact specific delivery reports
US8612403B2 (en) 2006-12-29 2013-12-17 Uniforce Tech Limited Liability Company Method and system for providing contact specific delivery reports
US20080195448A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2008-08-14 May Darrell R Method Of Processing Calendar Events, And Associated Handheld Electronic Device
US8230390B2 (en) 2007-02-09 2012-07-24 Nokia Corporation Template-based rule generation
US20080196002A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2008-08-14 Klaus Koster Template-based rule generation
EP1956534A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2008-08-13 Research In Motion Limited Method of processing calendar events, and associated handheld electronic device
US20080235773A1 (en) * 2007-03-22 2008-09-25 Wistron Corp. Method of irrugalar password configuration and verification
US10592073B2 (en) 2007-06-29 2020-03-17 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Exposing non-authoring features through document status information in an out-space user interface
US10521073B2 (en) 2007-06-29 2019-12-31 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Exposing non-authoring features through document status information in an out-space user interface
US9098473B2 (en) 2007-06-29 2015-08-04 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Accessing an out-space user interface for a document editor program
US9619116B2 (en) 2007-06-29 2017-04-11 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Communication between a document editor in-space user interface and a document editor out-space user interface
US10642927B2 (en) 2007-06-29 2020-05-05 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Transitions between user interfaces in a content editing application
US20090064006A1 (en) * 2007-08-30 2009-03-05 Indran Naick Techniques for Performing Tasks Associated with Custom Folder Controls
US8171017B2 (en) * 2007-10-03 2012-05-01 Oracle International Corporation Book of business mechanism
US20090132479A1 (en) * 2007-10-03 2009-05-21 Oracle International Corporation Book of business mechanism
US8370327B2 (en) 2007-10-03 2013-02-05 Oracle International Corporation Book of business mechanism
US20110055344A1 (en) * 2007-10-04 2011-03-03 International Business Machines Corporation System for creating and modifying lists for electronic distribution
US7962506B2 (en) 2007-10-04 2011-06-14 International Business Machines Corporation System for creating and modifying lists for electronic distribution
US8019821B2 (en) 2007-10-26 2011-09-13 International Business Machines Corporation Method for creating adaptive distributions
US20090113446A1 (en) * 2007-10-26 2009-04-30 Rick Allen Hamilton Method for creating adaptive distributions
US7895278B2 (en) * 2008-01-14 2011-02-22 International Business Machines Corporation Method for automatically modifying electronic distribution lists using predefined rules
US20090182820A1 (en) * 2008-01-14 2009-07-16 Hamilton Ii Rick Allen Method for automatically modifying electroinic distribution lists using predefined rules
US8706820B2 (en) * 2008-02-08 2014-04-22 Microsoft Corporation Rules extensibility engine
US20090204675A1 (en) * 2008-02-08 2009-08-13 Microsoft Corporation Rules extensibility engine
US10445114B2 (en) 2008-03-31 2019-10-15 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Associating command surfaces with multiple active components
EP2107517A1 (en) * 2008-04-04 2009-10-07 Alcatel Lucent Method for managing electronic messages from a messaging client and system for implementing the method
US8751585B2 (en) 2008-04-04 2014-06-10 Alcatel Lucent Electronic message handling method based on a message system client and system to implement the method
WO2009121808A1 (en) * 2008-04-04 2009-10-08 Alcatel Lucent Method of managing electronic messages on the basis of a messaging client and system for implementing the method
FR2929791A1 (en) * 2008-04-04 2009-10-09 Alcatel Lucent Sas METHOD FOR MANAGING ELECTRONIC MESSAGES FROM A MESSAGING CLIENT AND SYSTEM FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD
US20090300124A1 (en) * 2008-04-04 2009-12-03 Alcatel-Lucent Electronic message handling method based on a message system client and system to implement the method
US9665850B2 (en) 2008-06-20 2017-05-30 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Synchronized conversation-centric message list and message reading pane
US10997562B2 (en) 2008-06-20 2021-05-04 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Synchronized conversation-centric message list and message reading pane
US9338114B2 (en) 2008-06-24 2016-05-10 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Automatic conversation techniques
US7552185B1 (en) 2008-07-28 2009-06-23 International Business Machines Corporation Method for associating individuals or email groups with a specific recipient field
US8572651B2 (en) 2008-09-22 2013-10-29 EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C. Methods and apparatus for presenting supplemental information in an electronic programming guide
US20100077432A1 (en) * 2008-09-22 2010-03-25 Echostar Technologies Llc Methods and apparatus for presenting supplemental information in an electronic programming guide
US8582957B2 (en) 2008-09-22 2013-11-12 EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C. Methods and apparatus for visually displaying recording timer information
US8793735B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2014-07-29 EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C. Methods and apparatus for providing multiple channel recall on a television receiver
US8763045B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2014-06-24 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Systems and methods for providing customer service features via a graphical user interface in a television receiver
US20100083313A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Echostar Technologies Llc. Systems and methods for graphical adjustment of an electronic program guide
US8473979B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2013-06-25 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Systems and methods for graphical adjustment of an electronic program guide
US20100083315A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Echostar Technologies Llc Systems and methods for graphical control of user interface features provided by a television receiver
US8937687B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2015-01-20 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Systems and methods for graphical control of symbol-based features in a television receiver
US20100083309A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Echostar Technologies Llc Systems and methods for providing customer service features via a graphical user interface in a television receiver
US9357262B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2016-05-31 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Systems and methods for graphical control of picture-in-picture windows
US8397262B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2013-03-12 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Systems and methods for graphical control of user interface features in a television receiver
US20100083310A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Echostar Technologies Llc Methods and apparatus for providing multiple channel recall on a television receiver
US20100079681A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Echostar Technologies Llc Systems and methods for graphical control of symbol-based features in a television receiver
US20100083312A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Echostar Technologies Llc Systems and methods for graphical control of user interface features in a television receiver
US20100079671A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Echostar Technologies Llc Systems and methods for graphical control of picture-in-picture windows
US9462430B2 (en) * 2008-10-22 2016-10-04 Centurylink Intellectual Property Llc System and method for managing messages
US20140141753A1 (en) * 2008-10-22 2014-05-22 Centurylink Intellectual Property Llc System and method for managing messages
US20100115550A1 (en) * 2008-10-31 2010-05-06 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Graphical interface navigation based on image element proximity
US9100614B2 (en) * 2008-10-31 2015-08-04 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Graphical interface navigation based on image element proximity
US20100199184A1 (en) * 2009-01-30 2010-08-05 Yahoo! Inc. Prioritizing vitality events in a social networking system
US9046983B2 (en) 2009-05-12 2015-06-02 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Hierarchically-organized control galleries
US9875009B2 (en) 2009-05-12 2018-01-23 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Hierarchically-organized control galleries
US20110055264A1 (en) * 2009-08-28 2011-03-03 Microsoft Corporation Data mining organization communications
US9529864B2 (en) * 2009-08-28 2016-12-27 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Data mining electronic communications
US20110055196A1 (en) * 2009-08-28 2011-03-03 Microsoft Corporation Data mining electronic communications
US11475109B2 (en) 2009-09-01 2022-10-18 James J. Nicholas, III System and method for cursor-based application management
US9361165B2 (en) * 2009-12-03 2016-06-07 International Business Machines Corporation Automated merger of logically associated messages in a message queue
US20110138400A1 (en) * 2009-12-03 2011-06-09 International Business Machines Corporation Automated merger of logically associated messages in a message queue
US20120311057A1 (en) * 2010-02-09 2012-12-06 Zte Corporation Mobile terminal and method for switching e-mail accounts on mobile terminal
US8504520B2 (en) 2010-06-11 2013-08-06 Microsoft Corporation Background synchronization of data objects
US20120005542A1 (en) * 2010-07-01 2012-01-05 LogRhythm Inc. Log collection, structuring and processing
US9384112B2 (en) * 2010-07-01 2016-07-05 Logrhythm, Inc. Log collection, structuring and processing
US10122575B2 (en) 2010-07-01 2018-11-06 LogRhythm Inc. Log collection, structuring and processing
US8744979B2 (en) 2010-12-06 2014-06-03 Microsoft Corporation Electronic communications triage using recipient's historical behavioral and feedback
US9589254B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2017-03-07 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Using e-mail message characteristics for prioritization
US10021055B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2018-07-10 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Using e-mail message characteristics for prioritization
US10423696B2 (en) 2010-12-09 2019-09-24 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Intelligent message processing
US20120151380A1 (en) * 2010-12-09 2012-06-14 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Intelligent message processing
US9251508B2 (en) * 2010-12-09 2016-02-02 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Intelligent message processing
US20120191785A1 (en) * 2011-01-26 2012-07-26 Research In Motion Limited Communication device and method for sending an electronic message
US11163286B1 (en) * 2011-03-04 2021-11-02 Alarm.Com Incorporated Monitoring system control technology
US20130086486A1 (en) * 2011-09-30 2013-04-04 Michael James Ahiakpor Mutable Message Attributes
US20130290869A1 (en) * 2012-04-30 2013-10-31 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Selective capture of incoming email messages for diagnostic analysis
US10037316B2 (en) 2012-04-30 2018-07-31 Salesforce, Inc. Selective capture of incoming email messages for diagnostic analysis
US9262037B2 (en) * 2012-04-30 2016-02-16 Salesforce.Com, Inc. Selective capture of incoming email messages for diagnostic analysis
US20130346598A1 (en) * 2012-06-25 2013-12-26 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Management server, image forming apparatus, method of providing open services gateway initiative (osgi)-based service, and computer-readable recording medium
US9223825B2 (en) 2012-08-20 2015-12-29 Blackberry Limited Methods and devices for applying constraints to data object
EP2701106A3 (en) * 2012-08-20 2014-05-14 BlackBerry Limited Methods and devices for applying constraints to data object
US20180341458A1 (en) * 2012-09-20 2018-11-29 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Context aware service provision method and apparatus of user device
US11048474B2 (en) * 2012-09-20 2021-06-29 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Context aware service provision method and apparatus of user device
US11907615B2 (en) * 2012-09-20 2024-02-20 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Context aware service provision method and apparatus of user device
AU2018260953B2 (en) * 2012-09-20 2020-06-04 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Context aware service provision method and apparatus of user device
US10684821B2 (en) * 2012-09-20 2020-06-16 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Context aware service provision method and apparatus of user device
US20190265946A1 (en) * 2012-09-20 2019-08-29 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Context aware service provision method and apparatus of user device
US10515107B2 (en) 2012-10-18 2019-12-24 Oath Inc. Systems and methods for processing and organizing electronic content
US11567982B2 (en) 2012-10-18 2023-01-31 Yahoo Assets Llc Systems and methods for processing and organizing electronic content
US9811586B2 (en) 2012-10-18 2017-11-07 Oath Inc. Systems and methods for processing and organizing electronic content
US20140115495A1 (en) * 2012-10-18 2014-04-24 Aol Inc. Systems and methods for processing and organizing electronic content
US10866952B2 (en) 2013-03-04 2020-12-15 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Source-independent queries in distributed industrial system
US10649424B2 (en) 2013-03-04 2020-05-12 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Distributed industrial performance monitoring and analytics
US10386827B2 (en) 2013-03-04 2019-08-20 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Distributed industrial performance monitoring and analytics platform
US10649449B2 (en) 2013-03-04 2020-05-12 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Distributed industrial performance monitoring and analytics
US11385608B2 (en) 2013-03-04 2022-07-12 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Big data in process control systems
US10678225B2 (en) 2013-03-04 2020-06-09 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Data analytic services for distributed industrial performance monitoring
US10223327B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2019-03-05 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Collecting and delivering data to a big data machine in a process control system
US10311015B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2019-06-04 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Distributed big data in a process control system
US10037303B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2018-07-31 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Collecting and delivering data to a big data machine in a process control system
US10031489B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2018-07-24 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for seamless state transfer between user interface devices in a mobile control room
US11169651B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2021-11-09 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling a process plant with location aware mobile devices
US10152031B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2018-12-11 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Generating checklists in a process control environment
US10671028B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2020-06-02 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for managing a work flow in a process plant
US10031490B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2018-07-24 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Mobile analysis of physical phenomena in a process plant
US10133243B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2018-11-20 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for seamless state transfer between user interface devices in a mobile control room
US10691281B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2020-06-23 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling a process plant with location aware mobile control devices
US11112925B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2021-09-07 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Supervisor engine for process control
US10551799B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2020-02-04 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for determining the position of a mobile control device in a process plant
US10296668B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-05-21 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Data modeling studio
US10324423B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-06-18 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling a process plant with location aware mobile control devices
US11573672B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2023-02-07 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Method for initiating or resuming a mobile control session in a process plant
US10649412B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2020-05-12 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for seamless state transfer between user interface devices in a mobile control room
US10649413B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2020-05-12 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Method for initiating or resuming a mobile control session in a process plant
US10808506B2 (en) 2013-07-25 2020-10-20 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Sand control system and methodology
US20150074202A1 (en) * 2013-09-10 2015-03-12 Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. Processing action items from messages
US10768784B2 (en) * 2013-12-06 2020-09-08 Vivint, Inc. Systems and methods for rules-based automations and notifications
US20150160797A1 (en) * 2013-12-06 2015-06-11 Vivint, Inc. Systems and methods for rules-based automations and notifications
CN103729415A (en) * 2013-12-12 2014-04-16 福建榕基软件股份有限公司 Information management method and device
US10656627B2 (en) 2014-01-31 2020-05-19 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Managing big data in process control systems
US11849004B2 (en) 2014-03-27 2023-12-19 Dropbox, Inc. Activation of dynamic filter generation for message management systems through gesture-based input
US9197590B2 (en) * 2014-03-27 2015-11-24 Dropbox, Inc. Dynamic filter generation for message management systems
US10594641B2 (en) 2014-03-27 2020-03-17 Dropbox, Inc. Dynamic filter generation for message management systems
US9871751B2 (en) 2014-03-27 2018-01-16 Dropbox, Inc. Dynamic filter generation for message management systems
US20150281156A1 (en) * 2014-03-27 2015-10-01 Dropbox, Inc. Dynamic filter generation for message management systems
US11444899B2 (en) * 2014-03-27 2022-09-13 Dropbox, Inc. Activation of dynamic filter generation for message management systems through gesture-based input
US9537805B2 (en) 2014-03-27 2017-01-03 Dropbox, Inc. Activation of dynamic filter generation for message management systems through gesture-based input
CN105320882A (en) * 2014-07-28 2016-02-10 腾讯科技(深圳)有限公司 Method and device for controlling permission of application programs
US10909137B2 (en) 2014-10-06 2021-02-02 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Streaming data for analytics in process control systems
US10168691B2 (en) 2014-10-06 2019-01-01 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Data pipeline for process control system analytics
US10282676B2 (en) 2014-10-06 2019-05-07 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Automatic signal processing-based learning in a process plant
US10453563B2 (en) 2014-11-14 2019-10-22 Ims Health Technology Services Limited Health care event matching
EP3021277A1 (en) * 2014-11-14 2016-05-18 Ims Health Incorporated Health care event matching
US11057326B2 (en) 2014-12-19 2021-07-06 International Business Machines Corporation Social network activity modes
US10454865B2 (en) * 2014-12-19 2019-10-22 International Business Machines Corporation Social network activity modes
US20160291821A1 (en) * 2015-04-06 2016-10-06 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Generating and displaying graphical representations of processes
US10528229B2 (en) 2015-09-17 2020-01-07 Workiva Inc. Mandatory comment on action or modification
US10261663B2 (en) * 2015-09-17 2019-04-16 Workiva Inc. Mandatory comment on action or modification
US11886155B2 (en) 2015-10-09 2024-01-30 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Distributed industrial performance monitoring and analytics
US10503483B2 (en) 2016-02-12 2019-12-10 Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. Rule builder in a process control network
GB2549172B (en) * 2016-02-12 2022-10-05 Fisher Rosemount Systems Inc Rule builder in a process control network
GB2549172A (en) * 2016-02-12 2017-10-11 Fisher Rosemount Systems Inc Rule builder in a process control network
US20180115662A1 (en) * 2016-10-21 2018-04-26 Xerox Corporation Human readable sentences used to represent complex color changes in a print driver
US11143002B2 (en) 2017-02-02 2021-10-12 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Downhole tool for gravel packing a wellbore
US20190327200A1 (en) * 2018-04-20 2019-10-24 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Customized controls for handling communication content
WO2019204038A1 (en) 2018-04-20 2019-10-24 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Customized controls for handling commmunication content
US11657308B2 (en) * 2018-07-02 2023-05-23 Sap Se Rule scenario framework for defining rules for operating on data objects
US11631018B2 (en) * 2020-06-01 2023-04-18 Bank Of America Corporation Performing enhanced exception processing using cognitive automation tools
US20210374575A1 (en) * 2020-06-01 2021-12-02 Bank Of America Corporation Performing Enhanced Exception Processing Using Cognitive Automation Tools
WO2023249728A1 (en) * 2022-06-24 2023-12-28 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Natural language understanding for creating automation rules for processing communications

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6057841A (en) 2000-05-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5917489A (en) System and method for creating, editing, and distributing rules for processing electronic messages
US5923848A (en) System and method for resolving names in an electronic messaging environment
US6708202B1 (en) Method for highlighting information contained in an electronic message
US6405225B1 (en) Integrating email functionality into a word processor by incorporating an email GUI within the word processor
US5790116A (en) Object-oriented computer user interface
US5900870A (en) Object-oriented computer user interface
US7359936B2 (en) Method and apparatus for electronic mail interaction with grouped message types
US7392280B2 (en) Method for summarization of threads in electronic mail
US7818677B2 (en) Single window navigation methods and systems
US7769768B2 (en) Methods, apparatus and computer programs for visualization and management of data organization within a data processing system
US5768505A (en) Object oriented mail server framework mechanism
US7363590B2 (en) Calendar bar interface for electronic mail interaction
AU2007237243B2 (en) Communications system
US20030163537A1 (en) Method and apparatus for handling conversation threads and message groupings as a single entity
US7849147B2 (en) Method and apparatus for summarization of threads in electronic mail
US20030177190A1 (en) Method and apparatus for interaction with electronic mail from multiple sources
US20040174392A1 (en) Collaboration launchpad
US7424676B1 (en) System and method for improved electronic mail processing with introductory text
US20030225607A1 (en) Commoditized information management system providing role aware, extended relationship, distributed workflows
US20030225839A1 (en) Knowledge router
US7155662B1 (en) Representing an entity as a document using a data source having active properties
US20050289157A1 (en) Using extensions to represent multityping
Finch et al. Coordinating Human and Software Agents through Electronic Mail
Weiner A Personalized Information Environment Mail Tool
Hamlyn A Graphical, Personalized Environment Mail Tool.

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: MICROSOFT CORPORATION, WASHINGTON

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:THURLOW, SCOTT A.;BLISS, WILLIAM J.;STUMBERGER, DOUGLAS E.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:008641/0267;SIGNING DATES FROM 19970513 TO 19970602

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 12

AS Assignment

Owner name: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC, WASHINGTON

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MICROSOFT CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:034541/0001

Effective date: 20141014